Mitsubishi announces change of leadership

MANILA, Philippines - Mitsubishi Motors Philippines Corp. (MMPC) is announcing the appointment of its new President and Chief Executive Officer, Hikosaburo Shibata effective April 1, 2011.

Shibata will take over Masahiko Ueki who started his 3-year assignment in the country in February 2008. As Ueki concludes his short but productive term in the Philippines, he will be leaving marks of his legacy with his immense contributions and accomplishments to MMPC. It was during his term when MMPC was able to further strengthen its number 2 industry position. Like in 2009, MMPC was able to achieve a double digit growth of 33% and improve its market year to 17.6% in spite of the global financial crisis which affected the automotive industry. Then in 2010, MMPC closed the year with a 39% sales growth and 19.2% market share. With his mission coupled by his dedication of providing quality products and best service to customers, MMPC was able to top the J.D. Power CSI and SSI studies in 2009. Ueki’s leadership and hard work has contributed in making MMPC one of the country’s leading auto brands. Ueki is now promoted as the Executive Officer and Corporate General Manager of Asia and ASEAN Office of Mitsubishi Motors Corporation.

Shibata, who is currently MMC’s Vice Corporate General Manger, joined Mitsubishi Motors Corporation (MMC) in 1978 after finishing Law form Seikei University that same year. He was first assigned in the Production Control Department. Before his appointment as MMPC’s new president, Shibata was also assigned in The Netherlands for four years (1999-2003), after his assignment in Europe he served as Manager of Export Operations Department and was promoted the same year as General Manager of Export Operations in MMC. He was also assigned as the General Manager of Australia/New Zealand from July 2004 up to March 2005. Shibata’s more than 30 years of vast experience in various foreign markets handled by MMC makes him more excited to lead Mitsubishi Motors’ operation in the Philippines.

MMPC will formally introduce Hikosaburo Shibata in a turn-over ceremony on April 4, 2011.

With the new presidency, MMPC is firmly confident that it will continue its robust sales and improve more on providing quality service to its valued customers and living up to its role as a responsible corporate citizen.