Suzuki, the man behind India's people's car, dies

Osamu Suzuki, the visionary who brought affordable mobility to millions in India with the Maruti 800 and positioned the country as Suzuki Motor Corp.'s global growth engine, has died. He was 94.

- Alisha Sachdev

Osamu Suzuki, the visionary who brought affordable mobility to millions in India with the Maruti 800 and positioned the country as Suzuki Motor Corp.'s global growth engine, has died. He was 94.

Suzuki Motor's chief executive and Osamu Suzuki's eldest son Toshihiro Suzuki confirmed that his father passed away on 25 December. He had been suffering from lymphoma.

Best known for forging Suzuki's landmark partnership with the Indian government in the 1980s, Osamu Suzuki's determination and foresight made India the company's most critical market. Under his leadership, Maruti Suzuki introduced the ₹47,500 ($5,000) Maruti 800 in 1983, putting India's middle class on four wheels and democratizing personal mobility.

"It is with the deepest personal sorrow that I have learnt of the passing of Osamu Suzuki San," said R. C. Bhargava, former chairman of Maruti Suzuki and Suzuki's closest collaborator in India.