Shinya Ikeda returns to Malaysia as new Mitsubishi Motors’ CEO

MITSUBISHI Motors Malaysia (MMM), the official distributor of Mitsubishi Motors vehicles in Malaysia, has named Shinya Ikeda as its new CEO to succeed Tomoyuki Shinnishi who was in the role since October 2016.

Prior to assuming office on Oct 11, Ikeda had served in Mitsubishi Corporation, Japan as general manager of the company’s automotive business since 2019.

Ikeda started his career in Japan in 1995. He joined Mitsubishi Corp in 2008 with his first assignment being to manage the automotive business investment in Malaysia.

Subsequently from March 2009 to May 2012, he served as the chief financial officer (CFO) and GM of Mitsubishi Motors Malaysia (MMM), leading new business development.

Ikeda has since held various leadership roles and experience in automotive and finance businesses within Mitsubishi Corp across markets such as Japan, Indonesia, Russia and Germany.

Shinya Ikeda

Stating that he is 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 – Ikeda said he looks forward to working with the team to contribute the knowledge and experience that he has had having worked in Malaysia previously.

“I am excited to join the MMM team. The company has grown from strength to strength and has now become one of the nation’s leading automotive brand,” he pointed out.

“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.”

During his predecessor Shinnishi’s tenure, MMM has introduced a host of models, including the new Triton and XPANDER seven-seater crossover. Under Shinnishi’s leadership, the XPANDER became the No. 1 non-national MPV (multi-purpose vehicle) and Mitsubishi Motors became the country’s top three non-national brand in Malaysia.

MMM is currently represented by 53 showrooms (out of which 48 are 3S Centres) and 54 service outlets throughout Malaysia. In East Malaysia, MMM is represented by 14 showrooms (seven each in Sabah and Sarawak). – Oct 18, 2021

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