Suzuki Motors Chairman, who Brought the Company to Hungary, Passes Away at 94

PM Viktor Orbán (L) and Suzuki Osamu (R) Suzuki Osamu, the former chairman and CEO of Suzuki Motors, passed away at the age of 94, as announced by the Japanese carmaker. Mr. Suzuki died on December 25, leaving behind a legacy of exceptional leadershi

By: hungarytoday.hu

Dec 30 2024
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Suzuki Motors Chairman, who Br

PM Viktor Orbán (L) and Suzuki Osamu (R)

Suzuki Osamu, the former chairman and CEO of Suzuki Motors, passed away at the age of 94, as announced by the Japanese carmaker. Mr. Suzuki died on December 25, leaving behind a legacy of exceptional leadership and innovation.

Joining Suzuki Motors in 1958, a company founded by his wife’s grandfather, Suzuki Osamu steadily rose to the top, becoming chairman and CEO in 1978. He led the company for over four decades before stepping down in 2021 to serve as a senior advisor. Under his leadership, Suzuki Motors expanded globally, with a notable milestone in 1993—the establishment of the Suzuki plant in Esztergom (northern Hungary).

This move marked Hungary as Suzuki’s sole European manufacturing hub, solidifying its role as a key player in the Hungarian automotive industry.

Mr. Suzuki’s contributions to strengthening Japanese-Hungarian relations were widely recognized. In June 2022, Hungary awarded him the Grand Cross of the Order of Merit. Former President, Katalin Novák presented the honor, acknowledging Mr. Suzuki’s pivotal role in establishing Suzuki’s European operations. Prime Minister Viktor Orbán hosted a banquet in his honor.

Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó also praised Mr. Suzuki, stating, “you have proven the truth of the Japanese proverb that the wise man does not go astray and the brave man does not turn back.”

Suzuki Osamu’s influence extended beyond business; he fostered international cooperation and industrial growth, leaving an enduring legacy in Hungary and across the globe.

"Suzuki is more than just business: it is a friendship," Says Orbán