Dec 28 (NHK) - The man who led the Japanese automaker Suzuki Motor for more than 40 years as president and chairman has died. Suzuki Osamu was 94 years old.
Suzuki joined the automaker in 1958, as the son-in-law of the company's second president. He was appointed president in 1978, and the following year, scored a major hit with the mini-vehicle, Alto. The car was priced at less than half a million yen, or around 3,000 dollars at today's exchange rate.
Suzuki Motor actively expanded overseas under Suzuki's helm. It began producing cars in India in 1983, and eventually earned the top share in the country's market.
Suzuki flexed his management skills after becoming chairman in 2000.
The company's annual sales jumped around 10-fold compared to when Suzuki became president, to over 3 trillion yen, or about 19 billion dollars.
As part of its strategy to survive intense competition, Suzuki Motor formed partnerships in the past with global automakers General Motors and Volkswagen.
In 2017, the firm sealed a business tie-up with Toyota, which developed into a capital partnership two years later. The alliance was aimed at responding to rising demand for electric vehicles.
Suzuki, as chairman, continued his active involvement in the automaker's management and decision-making. He was popular for his frank and easy-going personality.
Suzuki retired as chairman in June 2021, and took the post of senior advisor. He died of malignant lymphoma on Wednesday.
