SUZUKI MOTOR CHAIRMAN TO RETIRE IN JUNE AFTER 40 YEARS AT THE HELM

Suzuki Motor Corp. Chairman Osamu Suzuki will retire after leading the Japanese automaker for more than 40 years and transforming it into a global player with an overwhelming dominance in the Indian car market, the company told Kyodo News.

The 91-year-old chairman will leave the post at a shareholders' meeting slated for June and become an adviser, it said. Suzuki has served as either president, chairman or CEO of the company, known for its mini-vehicles and motorcycles, since 1978.

"I decided to give way to successors to promote a mid-term business plan," which the Hamamatsu, Shizuoka Prefecture-based company released the same day, Suzuki said in an online press conference.

He added that the company's 100-year anniversary last year also prompted his decision to step down from the chairman's post.

"I played golf 47 times last year and I am in good shape. Please don't worry," said Suzuki, shrugging off concern over his health. The automaker said it will leave the chairman's position vacant.

Under the plan, Suzuki aims to achieve sales of 4.8 trillion yen ($46 billion) in fiscal 2025, up from 3.49 trillion yen in fiscal 2019, and widely expand its electrification of vehicles from 2025.

Suzuki joined the automaker in 1958 when he married into its founding family. He took the family name of his wife, the daughter of then President Shunzo Suzuki. Under his chairmanship, the company saw its consolidated sales expand sixfold from around 500 billion yen in fiscal 1980 to 3 trillion yen in fiscal 2006.

WEEKLY FEATURE : BONNER DYTOC SHOWS THE WAY IN STOCK PLAY