‘Closer than brother’: RC Bhargava mourns death of Osamu Suzuki, former chairman of Suzuki Motor Corp.

RC Bhargava, Chairman, Maruti Suzuki India, mourned the death of Osamu Suzuki, the former charismatic leader of Suzuki Motor Corp, as the loss of someone who was “closer than a brother”.

“It is with great personal sadness that I learn of the passing of Osamu Suzuki-san. Without his vision and insight, his willingness to take a risk no one else was willing to take, his deep and abiding love for India, and his immense abilities as a mentor, I believe the Indian automobile industry would not have been possible,” Bhargava wrote in a statement. To become the driving force that I have become.”

Maruti Suzuki India Chairman believes that millions in this country are living a better life because of Osamu-san. He has gained the confidence of many prime ministers. “He had a very close understanding with the current Prime Minister Narendra Modi,” he added.

“Osamu Suzuki’s contribution to the Indian economy and to building bridges between India and Japan has been recognized by the award of the Padma Bhushan to him. He will be missed by countless admirers and beneficiaries in the country.

“I lost someone who was closer to me than my brother. He changed my life and showed how nationality is no barrier for people to build unbreakable bonds of trust in each other. He was my mentor, my mentor and the person who stood by me even in my darkest days.

“If I played a role in Maruti’s success, it is because I was his student and he taught me how best to grow the company and make it competitive. Osamu-san came to Delhi at the end of July this year despite being unwell. He came because he wanted to attend my 90th birthday. It was the most impactful event of my life. Little did I know that this would be the last time I would see him,” read Bhargava’s statement.

“Osamu Suzuki will no longer be there to guide us. His legacy and teachings will never be forgotten and he will be remembered every time Maruti reaches another milestone as part of India’s progress. We ask God to strengthen his family to bear this irreparable loss,” he added.

Statement from Maruti Suzuki India Limited

Maruti Suzuki is deeply saddened by the demise of Osamu Suzuki, Senior Advisor, Suzuki Motor Corporation and Director and Chairman Emeritus of Maruti Suzuki India Limited. O Suzuki was a visionary leader whose remarkable contributions shaped the global automobile industry.

In India, his vision and leadership were instrumental in establishing Maruti Udyog Limited in 1981. Through his vision, O Suzuki played a pivotal role in realizing the dream of putting India on wheels by enabling millions of Indian families to access affordable, reliable, efficient and useful services. The company said in its statement that the vehicles are of good quality. Under his leadership, the Indian automobile industry has adopted globally recognized Japanese manufacturing and working practices of teamwork, productivity and cost effectiveness.

Our thoughts and prayers are with his family, friends, business partners and colleagues at this difficult moment,” the company said.

Osamu Suzuki, the former charismatic leader of Suzuki Motor Corp, successfully transformed the Japanese automaker into a global powerhouse with dominant success in the Indian automobile market.

While other Japanese automakers focused on entering the American and Chinese markets, Suzuki focused on producing small cars in Japan and small cars for emerging markets such as India, Southeast Asia and Hungary. Its focus on affordable small cars cemented Suzuki’s leadership in the Indian market, a position it still holds today.

He passed away on December 25 from malignant lymphoma and is survived by his wife and three children. He was 94 years old.