Osamu Suzuki, the visionary leader who transformed Suzuki Motor Corporation (SMC) into a global automotive giant over his more than 40 years at the helm, passed away on December 25, 2024. He has been posthumously honored with the esteemed Padma Vibhushan in the ‘Trade and Industry’ category, on the occasion of India’s 76th Republic Day.
The Padma Awards, one of India’s highest civilian honors, are presented in three categories: Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan, and Padma Shri. These awards recognize exceptional achievements in various fields such as art, social work, public affairs, science and engineering, trade and industry, medicine, literature and education, sports, and civil service. While the Padma Vibhushan honors distinguished service of the highest order, the Padma Bhushan is for exceptional service of a high order, and the Padma Shri recognizes distinguished service in any field. The awards are announced annually on Republic Day.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended his congratulations to all the 2025 Padma awardees, praising their contributions. In a post on X, he wrote: “Congratulations to all the Padma awardees! India is proud to honor and celebrate their extraordinary achievements. Their dedication and perseverance are truly inspiring. Each awardee embodies hard work, passion, and innovation, positively impacting countless lives. They exemplify the value of striving for excellence and selflessly serving society.”
Osamu Suzuki, who rose to president of Suzuki Motor Corporation (SMC) in 1978 and later became chairman and CEO, was known for his conservative financial management and focus on small, affordable vehicles. He pioneered Japan’s “kei car” segment and led Suzuki’s successful expansion into India through Maruti Suzuki, making it the country’s largest car manufacturer.
Despite Suzuki’s relatively small global presence, his strategic leadership and focus on efficiency helped the company navigate economic downturns while remaining profitable. His bold move to partner with the Indian government to form a joint venture with Maruti Udyog revolutionized the Indian automobile market, particularly with the Maruti 800 and Alto. Suzuki’s hands-on leadership and pragmatic approach, even during the 2008 financial crisis and the 2011 Volkswagen split, ensured the company’s continued success. He stepped down as chairman in 2021, at 91, leaving behind a legacy of transforming Suzuki into a global automotive force, while preserving its independence and focus on small cars and emerging markets
 in 1978 and later served as chairman and CEO, was renowned for his prudent financial management and emphasis on small, affordable vehicles. He played a key role in pioneering Japan’s "kei car" segment and spearheaded Suzuki's successful expansion into India with Maruti Suzuki, which eventually became the country’s largest car manufacturer.){kind=link}