The government's support helped Maruti get off to a flying start. MUL used Japanese experience and systems to get a quality, low-cost product into the market.

R C Bhargava joined Maruti Udyog as managing director in 1982. He transformed the country's automobile industry and made Maruti cars ubiquitous on Indian roads.

Behind Maruti's success is another significant aspect of Japanese work culture -- parity among employees. At Maruti, it is managerial skill blended with the right technology that has paid dividends.

In August 1997, the Government of India nominated S S L N Bhaskarudu as the next managing director after Bhargava's third five-year term came to an end. But Suzuki challenged Bhaskarudu's appointment and filed a case in the Delhi high court.

Eventually, after much legal wrangling, Bhaskarudu quit his post in August 1999 and Jagdish Khattar took over the reigns of Maruti Udyog.

Above: MUL Managing Director Jagdish Khattar addresses a press conference in Bangalore on September 20, 2003.

Photograph: INDRANIL MUKHERJEE/AFP/Getty Images