Hisashi Takeuchi is Autocar Professional’s Man of the Year 2023

Hisashi Takeuchi, managing director and CEO, Maruti Suzuki is Autocar Professional’s ‘Man of the Year’ for 2023. 

Ketan Thakkar, editor, Autocar Professional, said, "The Autocar Professional Man of the Year has been a person whose singular influence has shaped automotive headlines over the course of the year, with a larger vision that has transformative potential. Takeuchi typifies that person."

Takeuchi, who took over the reins in April 2022, has accelerated decision-making at India’s largest carmaker and put Maruti Suzuki back in the reckoning in the lucrative and highly popular SUV segment. On the back of new SUV launches such as the Grand Vitara, Fronx and Jimny, the company has become the segment leader and appears on course to comfortably hold onto that position for the rest of FY 2024 Takeuchi is also the prime architect of the company’s vision 3.0 program. 

Thakkar added, "In Autocar Professional’s cover story, which also features an exclusive interview with Maruti Suzuki’s top boss. Vision 3.0 is by far the most audacious mid-term goal set by the company. The plan envisages Maruti Suzuki doubling production capacity and revenues in eight years; tripling exports from India and expanding its product portfolio to 28 models from 17 at present. Vision 3.0 could well be Takeuchi’s enduring legacy."

(Autocar Professional is part of Haymarket SAC, the pubishers of Campaign India.)