Suzuki, who transformed the small-car specialist Suzuki Motor into a globally recognized brand with significant achievements in India, passed away on Wednesday at the age of 94 after a prolonged battle with cancer.

It has been reported that under the dynamic leadership of this entrepreneur for four decades until 2021, the firm’s sales experienced an increase exceeding tenfold.Born on January 30, 1930, in the central Japanese prefecture of Gifu, he entered into marriage with a member of the company’s founding lineage and subsequently ascended to the presidency in 1978.

Identifying himself as a senior individual in a modest enterprise, Suzuki concentrated on the development of lightweight “kei” vehicles, many of which gained notable popularity due to their fuel efficiency and user-friendly characteristics.The automotive manufacturer also proactively pursued international collaborations and overseas ventures to facilitate the expansion of his enterprise.

He previously established partnerships with General Motors and Volkswagen, and in 2019, he formed a capital alliance with Toyota.

Suzuki proliferated in India, where the subsidiary of the company currently commands the leading market position.As reported by the Nikkei Shimbun business daily, upon his retirement as the company’s chairman in 2021, the firm’s sales had reached 3.18 trillion yen ($20 billion).

When he assumed control of the company in 1978, the firm’s sales were recorded at 3

23 billion yen.