OSAMU SUZUKI, A LEADER WHO DEFIED CONVENTIONS, OUTLIVED CHALLENGES

In 1982, he signed a JV with the Indian government to create Maruti Udyog Ltd

- HORMAZD SORABJEE

My first car was a Maruti 800, as it was for millions of Indians who discovered the joys of driving with this wonder car. This little marvel put an entire subcontinent on wheels. The Maruti 800 is the most iconic symbol of the legacy of Osamu Suzuki, who recently passed away at the remarkable age of 94. The company announced that Suzuki died on 25 December after a battle with malignant lymphoma.

In India, Suzuki is synonymous with the Maruti story. It's a saga of twists and turns, chance and intrigue, worthy of a Netflix series. There are many protagonists in the story; Sanjay Gandhi, who died in an air crash; his Prime Minister mother, who wanted to build a national car company in his memory, and brilliant IAS officers like V. Krishnamoorthy and R.C. Bhargava, who made her dream a reality. But the main hero of this blockbuster has to be Osamu Suzuki.

The most defining gamble of his long career was taking a punt on India when the market was anything but certain. In 1982, he signed a joint venture with the Indian government to create Maruti Udyog Ltd, when most global automakers had shied away from India's closed economy. But Suzuki's belief in the potential of the 800, a compact, affordable and efficient car for the Indian middle class, proved prescient.

Today, Maruti Suzuki dominates the Indian market, holding a market share of more than 40%, and has produced more than 25 million cars.

Despite his ripe old age, Suzuki's death comes as a shock to many, given his seemingly perpetual presence and the indefatigable energy he brought to the company that bears his name.