Osamu Suzuki, the man who led Suzuki Motor Corporation for over five decades and was the longest serving head of a global automaker for more than 28 years as president, passed away on 27 December 2024 due to lymphoma.

A former bank employee Osamu Matsuda took over his wife’s surname Suzuki after their marriage. He joined Suzuki Motor Corporation in 1958 and worked in several roles before assuming the role of President in 1978.

It was in 1982, when the Indian government was scouting for bringing automotive manufacturing in India, Suzuki Motor Corporation picked up 26 percent stake in Maruti Udyog. This set the stepping stone for where Maruti Suzuki India is today.

Among various achievements, he will be fondly remembered for his bet on entering the Indian automotive market, which now serves as one of the largest markets for Suzuki Motor Corp.

As per media reports, Toshihiro Suzuki, the eldest son of Osamu Suzuki issued a statement that said: “The funeral was held privately with close family members until the ashes were interred. We respectfully decline condolence ceremonies, perfumes, flowers, condolence telegrams, etc.”

A statement issued by Maruti Suzuki India said, "Maruti Suzuki is deeply saddened on the passing of Osamu Suzuki, Senior Advisor, Suzuki Motor Corporation and Director & Honorary Chairman, Maruti Suzuki India. O. Suzuki was a visionary leader whose remarkable contributions shaped the global automobile industry. In India, his foresight and leadership were instrumental in the formation of Maruti Udyog in 1981. With his vision O. Suzuki played the pivotal role in realising the dream of putting India on wheels by empowering millions of Indian families with affordable, reliable, efficient and good quality vehicles. Under his stewardship, Indian automobile industry adopted the Japanese manufacturing and work practices that are globally recognised for teamwork, productivity and cost effectiveness. O. Suzuki’s legacy will live on as an inspiration to all of us at Maruti Suzuki and the entire automotive community in India. His passion to bring smiles to people’s lives through mobility will forever be cherished. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family, friends, business partners and colleagues in this moment of distress."

R C Bhargava, Chairman, Maruti Suzuki India, said, “It is with the deepest personal sorrow that I have learnt of the passing of Osamu Suzuki San. Without his vision and foresight, his willingness to take a risk that no one else was willing to take, his deep and abiding love for India, and his immense capabilities as a teacher, I believe the Indian automobile industry could not have become the powerhouse that it has become. Millions of us in this country are living better lives because of Osamu San. He won and enjoyed the trust of several Prime Ministers. He had a very close understanding with the present Prime Minister, Narendra Modi. Osamu San’s contribution to the Indian economy, and for building bridges between India and Japan was acknowledged by the conferment of the Padma Bhushan on him.”

“He will be missed by his innumerable admirers and beneficiaries in the country. I have lost someone who was closer than a brother to me. He changed my life and showed how nationality is no barrier to people building unbreakable bonds of trust in each other. He was my teacher, mentor and a person who stood by me even in my darkest days. If I played a role in the success of Maruti, it was because I was his student and he had taught me how best to grow a company and make it competitive.”

“Osamu San came to Delhi at the end of July this year despite not being in good health. He came because he wanted to attend my 90th birthday. It was the most touching event in my life. Little did I know that this would be the last time I would see him. Osamu San 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 a part of the progress of India. May God give strength to his family to bear this irreparable loss,” added Bhargava.

Shradha Suri Marwah, President, ACMA & CMD, Subros, said, “It is with profound sorrow that we bid farewell to Osamu Suzuki, the legendary former Chairman of Suzuki Motor Corporation, whose visionary leadership and indomitable spirit transformed the global automotive industry. Over his remarkable career spanning several decades, he was instrumental in shaping Suzuki into one of the most trusted and admired automobile brands worldwide. His exceptional contributions to India through Maruti Suzuki not only revolutionised the Indian automotive landscape but also strengthened the bonds between India and Japan, fostering a partnership that set benchmarks for the global auto industry and the creation of a robust supply chain that empowered countless businesses. A trailblazer, mentor, and innovator, Suzuki's unwavering commitment to excellence, humility, and sustainability has left an indelible mark on all who had the privilege to know him. His legacy will continue to inspire generations in the automotive and business communities. We extend our heartfelt condolences to his family, friends, and the entire Suzuki Motor Corporation family during this time of grief.” 

Image: File photo: Flickr

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German luxury automotive company BMW Group India has expanded its retail presence in Navi Mumbai by introducing the MINI brand at the Infinity Cars dealership. The update brings new BMW models, MINI vehicles and BMW Premium Selection pre-owned cars into a single location.

The Infinity Cars facility covers 6,774 square feet on a single level, utilising BMW's Retail.NEXT layout. The site features a Central Customer Walkway, digital configuration terminals, a dedicated pre-owned vehicle display area in the basement and a lifestyle section for brand merchandise and accessories. Infinity Cars operates six sales and service locations for BMW Group India across the Mumbai region.

Hardeep Singh Brar, President and CEO, BMW Group India, said, "The luxury mobility landscape in India is becoming increasingly experience led, with customers seeking brands that reflect their lifestyle and individuality. MINI, with its iconic design, distinctive character and expressive personality, resonates strongly with this evolving audience. Mumbai continues to be one of the most important markets for luxury automobiles in India and the introduction of MINI at Infinity Cars further strengthens our presence in the region. Through the Retail.NEXT concept, we are redefining how customers engage with our brands by creating immersive, digital-first and customer-centric experiences. Together with Infinity Cars, we look forward to bringing the unique world of MINI closer to customers in Navi Mumbai and accelerating the brand's growth in the market."

Pooja Choudary, Dealer Principal, Infinity Cars, said, "We are proud to deepen our association with BMW Group India by introducing MINI at Infinity Cars in Navi Mumbai. Building on our strong presence in the region with BMW and BMW Premium Selection, MINI adds a distinctive new expression of premium mobility to our portfolio. Its iconic character will help us connect with a new generation of customers while giving our existing clientele even greater choice. We look forward to growing MINI in Navi Mumbai and taking our partnership with BMW Group India to the next level."

The facility applies unified sales, service and administrative systems to manage customer operations from point of sale through ongoing vehicle maintenance.

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Used car retail platform Spinny has opened its first Spinny Park in the Mumbai region, located on Kalyan-Bhiwandi Road near K N Park Hotel, Rannoli.

The facility covers 15,000 square feet and holds space for 61 cars, providing buying and selling services for vehicles in Kalyan and surrounding areas.

The location offers vehicle viewing, test drives, financing and ownership transfers under its Spinny Assured brand. For vehicle owners seeking to sell, the platform's SellRight service handles valuations, payments and registration certificate transfers at the site.

Niraj Singh, Founder and CEO, Spinny, said, "Mumbai has been an integral part of Spinny’s journey, and this is the right time to bring a Spinny Park here. Maharashtra has been an important market for us, and this is a meaningful next step in getting even closer to our customers. This is the time for coming together, and celebrating this new chapter with the community makes it all the more meaningful."

The launch included Spinny Park Live, an event featuring local Marathi performers during the Ganpati festival season, hosted by Marathi Kapil.

The Kalyan location expands Spinny's network in Maharashtra, where it already operates five hubs in Mumbai including Dadar, Seawoods, Vidyavihar, Kandivali, and Thane, along with four sites in Pune, and operations in Nashik and Nagpur. The company combines physical locations with doorstep services for test drives and sales. Vehicle inventory for the network is processed through Integrated Quality Centres after inspection and refurbishment, drawing from procurement operations across 100 cities nationwide.

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German luxury car brand Porsche India has launched the Cayenne Electric, expanding its electric vehicle lineup in the country while introducing an electric propulsion system for its popular Cayenne model range.

The model arrives in two variants, the Cayenne Electric (priced at INR 17.72 million) and the Cayenne Turbo Electric (priced at INR 22.75 million), with customer deliveries commencing immediately following its release in Mumbai. Porsche will continue to sell internal combustion engine (ICE) variants of the Cayenne in India alongside the electric models.

Ashutosh Dixit, Head of Porsche India, said, “The Cayenne enters an important new era with electrification, combining uncompromising Porsche performance with electric mobility while remaining unmistakably Porsche. It continues to offer the everyday usability our customers expect from the Cayenne, together with the performance, engineering and driving experience that define our sports cars. Its introduction marks an important next chapter for Porsche in India as we continue to broaden the choices available to our customers.”

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JSW MG Motor India, one of the leading passenger vehicle manufacturers, completed the delivery of 50 units of the Hector Tomahawk EV in Surat in a single day, following the market launch of its electrified SUV model line.

The Hector Tomahawk lineup includes both battery-electric vehicle (EV) and plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) powertrains. The Hector Tomahawk EV incorporates a 69.2 kWh battery pack paired with an electric motor producing 150 kW and 310 Nm of torque, yielding a certified range of 517 km on a single charge and supporting DC fast charging up to 90 kW.

The Hector Tomahawk PHEV combines a 1.5-litre petrol engine, a dedicated hybrid transmission and a 20.5 kWh battery pack, delivering an electric range of 115 km and a combined driving range exceeding 1,100 km.

The SUV measure 4,745 mm in length, 1,850 mm in width and 1,770 mm in height, with a 2,810 mm wheelbase and 230 mm of ground clearance at the battery casing. On the inside it features a 15.6-inch central display screen, the i-SMART 3.0 connected software platform with artificial intelligence voice command integration, Vehicle-to-Home (V2H) power output capabilities and Level 2 Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS).

The Hector Tomahawk EV is offered under a Battery-as-a-Service (BaaS) introductory pricing scheme starting at INR 1.39 million with a battery rental fee of INR 4.90 per kilometre, or at an outright ex-showroom price starting at INR 1.94 million for the Excite 7-seater variant, rising to INR 2.34 million for the Essence 7-seater model.

The Hector Tomahawk PHEV, available exclusively as a 7-seater, starts at a BaaS price of INR 2.17 million with a battery rental fee of INR 3.20 per kilometre, or an outright ex-showroom price of INR 2.56 million for the Exclusive trim and INR 2.77 million for the Essence trim. A lifetime battery warranty is provided to original owners for both EV and PHEV variants.

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