Osamu Suzuki, who led the Japanese car manufacturer for 40 years, has passed away

(Patria) - Osamu Suzuki, who led the Japanese automotive company Suzuki for more than 40 years, died at the age of 94 from lymphoma, the corporation announced, TASS reported last night.

Osamu Suzuki joined the company in 1958, when he married the daughter of one of its founders and took her surname.

Twenty years later, he became the company's president and focused on the production of small, inexpensive vehicles in Japan, as well as in the developing markets of India and Southeast Asia, and Hungary.

By focusing on the production of small, inexpensive vehicles, the company held a dominant position in this niche for a long time. Under Osamu Suzuki's leadership, Suzuki's sales increased tenfold. Although Suzuki is a smaller player in Japan than larger corporations, it had a market share of over 40% in India in 2023.

Osamu Suzuki retired as the company's president in 2015 at the age of 85, handing over the position to his son, Toshihiro Suzuki.