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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Hyundai Motor India, a leading passenger vehicle manufacturer, has onboarded popular actor Pankaj Tripathi as its new brand ambassador.

The company shared that Tripathi, who is known for his versatility and grounded charm, embodies Hyundai India’s values of reliability, authenticity and a deep-rooted connection with the country’s diverse audience. With this association, HMIL further strengthens its ambassador lineup that already includes iconic personalities.

Tarun Garg, Whole-Time Director and Chief Operating Officer, Hyundai Motor India, said, “At HMIL, we celebrate stories of progress and inspiration. We are delighted to welcome Pankaj Tripathi to HMIL family. His grounded persona, exceptional talent and widespread appeal resonate with the values of HMIL and our vision of ‘Progress for Humanity’. Together, we aim to drive deeper emotional connections with our diverse customer base across India.”

Pankaj Tripathi, said, “It is an honour to associate with Hyundai Motor India, a brand that has long stood for trust, innovation and customer-first approach. My first car was a Hyundai, and over the years, that relationship has grown into something truly personal. As someone who deeply values simplicity, sincerity and staying true to one’s roots, I find a natural alignment with HMIL’s ethos. I look forward to this partnership where together, we can connect with people across the country - not just through technology, but through shared stories and values.”

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Mahindra & Mahindra, one of the leading SUVs manufacturers in the country, has announced that its popular SUV Thar Roxx now comes with 4-channel immersive audio powered by Dolby Atmos. With this, customers of Thar Roxx AX7L will be able to enjoy premium audio during their journey.

Karan Grover, Senior Director, Commercial Partnerships - IMEA, Dolby Laboratories, said, “We are excited about the possibilities that our collaboration with Mahindra can bring for customers, especially in India. With Dolby Atmos in Thar Roxx AX7L, we’re taking the car journey to an entirely new level by transforming the interior cabin into a personalised concert hall on wheels, making every ride an immersive audio experience that complements the adventurous spirit of the Thar Roxx AX7L.”

Velusamy R, President – Automotive Technology & Product Development, Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd, , “At Mahindra, it is our constant endeavour to explore limitless boundaries in automotive innovation, and the Thar Roxx is a testament to that spirit. By being the first vehicle in the world to feature Dolby Atmos featuring 4 channels of immersive audio integrated into the premium 9-speaker Harman Kardon Branded Audio system, we are redefining the driving experience. No matter the terrain or conditions, the Thar Roxx delivers a sensory experience like no other SUV of its kind on the Indian roads, bringing every moment on the road to life with Dolby Atmos.”

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European automotive major Stellantis India has partnered with Assist Asia to launch Project Inspire, its new Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative aimed at tackling the skills gap in the country’s growing mobility and manufacturing sectors.

The programme started training on 26 May 2025 at NITTTR Chennai, and will now extend to Pune, which the OEM stated aligns with national priorities such as Viksit Bharat 2047 and Industry 4.0.

Project INSPIRE aims to equip young people with the skills needed for the evolving fields of electric mobility, automation, and sustainability.

Shailesh Hazela, CEO & MD, Stellantis India, said, “At Stellantis, we believe upskilling is key to empowering individuals with the future-ready skillsets needed to succeed in today’s rapidly changing industry. Through Project INSPIRE, we are equipping youth with the skills essential to thrive in the evolving fields of electric mobility, automation and sustainability. By aligning with national priorities like Viksit Bharat 2047 and Industry 4.0, this initiative bridges the gap between education and employment, while also supporting the automotive industry in its transition to a greener, more digital future. We are grateful for the partnership of Assist Asia and NITTTR Chennai, whose collaboration is integral to the success of this project.”

The project aims to provide practical training to 2,500 students from ITIs and vocational institutions in electric vehicle systems, advanced mechatronics and robotics. It will also certify 200 Master Trainers to ensure the programme's long-term success. Beyond technical skills, the initiative will strengthen employability through modules on green skills, digital and financial literacy and job readiness.

Karunakaran K, Country Head, Assist Asia, added, “Assist is proud to partner with Stellantis India on Project Inspire, which addresses the critical need for hands-on, industry-relevant training in India’s rapidly evolving automotive sector. This initiative goes beyond traditional education by providing young people with the skills required for emerging technologies such as electric mobility, robotics, and mechatronics. By equipping the workforce with future-ready skills, we are not only empowering youth but also ensuring that the automotive industry has the talent it needs to navigate its transformation. We look forward to seeing this partnership drive long-term impact, foster job creation and contribute to a more sustainable, skilled economy.”

Project Inspire has ambitious goals, aiming for a 75 percent student placement rate in internships or jobs, 30 percent female participation and a 20 percent increase in entry-level salaries.

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Cred, a leading financial technology platform, has unveiled a new car valuation and resale feature within its ‘Cred garage’ vehicle management service, which allows its members to easily determine their car's value and facilitate its sale, streamlining a traditionally cumbersome process.

The service has been developed in partnership with used car platforms Cars24 and Spinny, which enables new functionality for instant car valuations, free doorstep inspections and swift payments upon sale completion. A key focus of the new feature is privacy, with member information remaining secure and private until they actively opt to proceed with an inspection.

The service aims to provide a convenient and transparent way for members to assess their car's market value without the need to visit multiple dealerships or endure unsolicited sales calls. Whether a member is planning to sell, comparing offers or simply curious about their car's current worth, the feature leverages data from two of India's leading digital resale platforms to provide quick and reliable insights. It also serves as a valuable tool for cross-referencing quotes received from offline dealers, ensuring members secure a fair price for their vehicle.

How it works

Cred members can instantly access their car's estimated value within Cred garage, a feature already used by over 7 million members to manage their vehicles. By answering a few straightforward questions, they receive a detailed valuation.

Should they decide to sell, members can schedule a complimentary home inspection at their convenience. The process is designed to be hassle-free, with no extensive paperwork required from the member. Once the vehicle is inspected and an offer is accepted, the partner platforms manage the entire resale process, including the crucial step of ownership transfer.

Member information is only shared with partners if an inspection is booked. Until then, all data remains securely with Cred, preventing any unsolicited calls or messages from dealers. Additionally, Cred garage will continue to provide members with helpful tips on maintaining their vehicles, potentially enhancing their car's resale value in the future.

Akshay Aedula, Product and Growth at Cred, said, “Cred members already manage their vehicles with discipline – tracking challans, renewing insurance, maintaining compliance. By enabling valuation, inspection and resale, we’re closing the loop: turning responsible ownership into real value by making the final step in vehicle management frictionless, secure and in members’ control. This feature is aimed at creating a car resale premium experience in line with the high-value vehicles that members own and enable them to get better value when they upgrade.”

The expansion of Cred garage builds on its existing suite of services, which includes managing challans, renewing pollution certificates, insurance, and FASTag – all from a single platform. Over the past year, more than 2.4 million members have utilised the service to identify pending challans and 5.3 million have received alerts about expiring pollution certificates. With 37 percent of members managing more than one vehicle, this new feature adds significant value to Cred garage.

Cred members constitute a substantial portion of India’s privately owned vehicle demographic. This new feature aims to make car valuation and resale an organised, efficient and spam-free extension of responsible car ownership.

Gajendra Jangid, Co-Founder and CMO, Cars24, said, “At Cars24, we have rebuilt the car-selling experience from the ground up. What was once a slow and unpredictable process is now instant, transparent and fully online. From pricing to paperwork, every step has been simplified to work without friction. This partnership allows us to extend that experience to more people, in a moment that really matters. If we can help someone close a chapter faster and start the next one with clarity, that is a win we deeply care about.”

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