Osamu Suzuki, the visionary who transformed small-car specialist Suzuki Motor into a global brand with significant success in India, passed away on Wednesday at the age of 94 after a battle with cancer.

Under Suzuki’s dynamic four-decade leadership, which spanned until 2021, the company’s sales grew more than tenfold. Born on January 30, 1930, in Gifu, Japan, Suzuki married into the company’s founding family and became its president in 1978.

Known for his humility, Suzuki often referred to himself as an “old man at a small business.” He focused on lightweight “kei” cars, which gained immense popularity for their fuel efficiency and user-friendly design.

Suzuki was also a pioneer in international collaborations. He formed partnerships with General Motors and Volkswagen and established a capital alliance with Toyota in 2019. His foresight and strategies led to significant global expansion, especially in India, where Suzuki’s subsidiary dominates the automotive market.

When he stepped down as chairman in 2021, Suzuki Motor’s annual sales had reached 3.18 trillion yen ($20 billion), a massive leap from 323 billion yen when he took over in 1978, according to the Nikkei Shimbun.

Suzuki leaves behind a legacy of innovation and global success, having built one of the most recognizable automotive brands in the world.