Mitsubishi Motors Philippines Corporation (MMPC) formally announced the appointment of Mr. Yoshiaki Kato as the company’s new President and Chief Operating Officer effective April 1, 2015. Mr. Kato will succeed Mr. Hikosaburo Shibata who will have a new role in Mitsubishi Motors Corporation (MMC)’s global operations.

In his four years of leadership, Mr. Shibata contributed greatly in strengthening the presence of Mitsubishi Motors including the setting of record-breaking sales and improving market share amidst aggressive and growing competition in the country. In 2014, MMPC recorded an all-time high of 50,085 units sold. He also led the company in the smooth transition to their new larger and modern assembly plant in Santa Rosa, Laguna. He also led the employees on several Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programs which he spearheaded.

MMPC’s incoming President and CEO, Mr. Kato is a graduate of the University of Tokyo and took his post-graduate studies at the Graduate School of Business, University of South Australia. His career started with Mitsubishi in 1988 and from then, he held significant positions in several companies such as Mitsubishi Motors Australia Ltd. from 1996 to 2000 and 2006 to 2011; and Mitsubishi Fuso Trucks and Bus Australia Pty. Ltd. from September 2003 to December 2005. After these assignments he returned to Japan and took the post as expert of the Europe Department and was promoted to General Manager of Europe Department in MMC. He was also recently assigned to Mitsubishi Motors (Thailand) Co. Ltd. as Executive Vice-President for Corporate Global Unit.

“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 more importantly to be able to provide better service to every valued customer apart from the world-class vehicles that we offer,” says Mr. Kato.

MMPC is among the core markets of Mitsubishi Motors Corporation. After their transfer to Santa Rosa, MMC has announced that it’s keen to further expand its business in the country led by fresh new products such as the all-new Strada.