New Delhi: In a tribute to the late Osamu Suzuki, Suzuki Motor Corporation and Maruti Suzuki India Limited have announced plans to establish the Osamu Suzuki Centre of Excellence (OSCOE) in India. The announcement was made during a remembrance ceremony held at Yashobhoomi, Delhi, honoring the former Chairman of Suzuki Motor Corporation, who passed away on December 25, 2024, in Japan.

The new centre, which will be located across Gujarat and Haryana, aims to carry forward the visionary leader’s manufacturing philosophy that transformed India’s automotive landscape. Osamu Suzuki is widely credited with introducing Japanese manufacturing concepts to India, principles that not only brought global competitiveness to the industry but also promoted equity and inclusivity in the broader society.

The OSCOE will work to support India’s national goals of driving manufacturing growth, raising the standards of the country’s component suppliers at every level, and creating globally competitive supply chains. It will also develop collaborative programmes with academia and industry, offering lectures, discussions, and seminars to share the Japanese approach to manufacturing excellence.

While rooted in Suzuki’s legacy in the automobile sector, the centre’s vision extends beyond it, aiming to influence other areas of Indian manufacturing as well.

Osamu Suzuki played an instrumental role in making car ownership a reality for millions of Indians and in establishing India as a key player in global automobile production. Under his leadership, Maruti Suzuki not only became a household name but also helped build a strong, export-ready automotive component ecosystem.

Born on January 30, 1930, and a law graduate from Chuo University, Osamu Suzuki joined Suzuki Motor Corporation in 1958 and went on to steer the company to global prominence. His legacy continues to inspire generations of industrialists and engineers around the world.

BI Bureau