Osamu Suzuki, the senior advisor to the Suzuki Motor Corporation, has achieved a significant milestone by joining the prestigious Motoring Hall of Fame (MHOF). This exclusive club, which recognises outstanding contributions to the automotive industry, has welcomed only 39 distinguished VIPs from around the globe since its inception in 2010.
- Suzuki succeeds Stirling Moss as Father of The Motoring Hall of Fame House
- Five-decade tenure as Suzuki chairman underlines his legacy
The 93-year-old has had an illustrious tenure as Suzuki chairman spanning over five decades, which has earned him the distinguished title of 'Father of The Motoring Hall of Fame House'. This position was previously held by the late Sir Stirling Moss OBE, who passed away in 2020.
The Motoring Hall of fame is currently partnered by Newspress and The British Motor Show. All the inductees are considered by MOHF’s highly experienced judges to be among the most outstanding, committed, talented and inspirational people in and around the global auto industry, associated businesses and charitable organisations.
“By identifying and sticking with the need to design and build small, credible, affordable, but high-quality two-wheel drive and four-wheel drive cars for real-world customers across the globe, this wise old 'Hall of Famer' showed a vision that many bosses at rival firms lacked," said one of the officials regarding the appointment of Suzuki.
“For example, the modest, now almost legendary Suzuki Jimny he launched in 2018 proved to be hugely desirable and won numerous car of the year awards. More recently, he paved the way for every car in the Suzuki range in Britain and elsewhere to feature hybrid tech as standard from 2023 – the year when hybrids officially took over from pure-petrol models as the most wanted cars in UK showrooms.
“As part of his new role as the company’s supreme advisor, he has ensured that the first 100 percent-electric Suzukis will come to market in 2025, with several more arriving from 2026 onwards, as demand for pure-EVs steadily grows."
Osamu san’s leadership and Suzuki's collaborative efforts with the Indian government have been exemplary since the company’s entry into the market in 1982. The strong partnership gave rise to the iconic Maruti 800 in 1983, marking the beginning of a successful journey that saw the introduction of numerous models over the years. Maruti Suzuki has consistently held its position as market leader, with over 40 percent market share in passenger vehicles and 25 percent in utility vehicles. Such honour underscores Suzuki’s enduring legacy and his pivotal role in shaping the automotive landscape.
Hormazd Sorabjee
Anurag Chaturvedi
