KUALA LUMPUR: Mitsubishi Motors Malaysia (MMM) has appointed Shinya Ikeda as its new chief executive officer (CEO). He succeeds Tomoyuki Shinnishi who was in the role since October 2016.
Ikeda officially assumed office in Malaysia on Oct 11. Prior to this, he was in Mitsubishi Corporation, Japan acting as the general manager in its automotive business field since 2019.
"I am excited to join Mitsubishi Motors Malaysia's team. The company has grown from strength to strength and has now become one of the nation's leading automotive brand. As announced in the Mitsubishi Motors Corporation (MMC) Mid-Term Business Plan last year, MMC will continue to focus on the Asean market and particularly Malaysia as the country is one of the most important markets in the world to expand the Mitsubishi brand presence.
"I look forward to working with the team to contribute with the knowledge and experience that I've had. I am also happy to be back in Malaysia as the country is home to various diversified food and culture and also people with enormous talent and potential," said Ikeda.
Ikeda started his career in Japan in 1995. He first joined Mitsubishi Corporation in 2008 and was tasked with managing the automotive business investment in Malaysia. He subsequently served as the chief financial officer (CFO) and GM of MMM from March 2009 to May 2012, leading the new business development.
He has since held various leadership roles with experience in automotive and finance businesses within Mitsubishi Corporation and across all markets such as Japan, Indonesia, Russia, and Germany.
Shinnishi's time at MMM's helm led the company to introduced a host of models including the new Triton and the seven-seater crossover Xpander. The latter became the No. 1 non-national Multi-Purpose Vehicle (MPV) and MMM would attain the position as the country's top three non-national brand locally early in 2021.
