Mitsubishi Motors Philippines Corp. (MMPC) announced the appointment of Mr. Yoshiaki Kato as its new President and Chief Executive Officer effective on April 1, 2015.
Mr. Kato will succeed Mr. Hikosaburo Shibata whose assignment in the Philippines commenced on April 1, 2011. In his four years of leadership, Mr. Shibata has contributed greatly in strengthening Mitsubishi Motors’ presence in the country. During his term MMPC achieved record breaking sales and continued its sales growth modestly improving the market share in spite of the aggressive and growing competition in the industry. Last year MMPC recorded an all-time high sales of 50,085 units. His remarkable leadership has motivated MMPC employees to further strive to achieve the company goals and beyond profit be able to give back to the community thru various Corporate Social Responsibility programs which he also spearheaded.
MMPC’s incoming President and CEO, Mr. Kato, graduated from the University of Tokyo and took post graduate studies at the Graduate School of Business, University of South Australia. His career started in 1988 and from then on he has held significant positions in several companies such as Mitsubishi Motors Australia Ltd. from 1996 to 2000 as well as from 2006 to 2011 and Mitsubishi Fuso Trucks and Bus Australia Pty. Ltd. from September 2003 to December 2005. After these assignments he then returned to Japan and took the post as expert of the Europe Department and was promoted as general manager of Europe Department in Mitsubishi Motors Corporation. He was also recently assigned in Mitsubishi Motors (Thailand) Co. Ltd. as Executive Vice President for Corporate Global Unit. With this position he handled Corporate Strategy, Corporate Administration and Export Business.
Mr. Kato’s vast experience and education will be of valuable advantage as he heads MMPC. “I am very pleased to be assigned in MMPC and at the same time I am also challenged as it is vital to continue or further improve MMPC’s performance not only in sales but most importantly to be able to provide better services to every valued customers apart from the world-class vehicle that we offer”, he added. The Philippines is among the core market of Mitsubishi Motors Corporation. With MMPC’s transfer to bigger plant in Sta. Rosa, MMC has announced its plan to further expand the business in the country. With the new President and CEO, MMPC is expected to be lead towards the realization of it business objectives and goals that will not only benefit the company but as well as its stakeholders.