Masahiro Moro will become the next CEO of Mazda, taking over in June from Akira Marumoto, who will stay on as a senior advisor to the firm.

The new CEO says he will focus on rolling out the brand’s new large crossovers, and reducing cost throughout the firm. He will also need to deal with the sector’s rapid transition to electric vehicles.

At present, Mazda’s only EV is the quirky, relatively short-range MX-30. In November, the company announced a ¥1.5 trillion ($16 billion) plan to develop a new EV architecture that will begin yielding vehicles from 2025, as well as speed up the launch of hybrid vehicles.

Moro joined Mazda in March 1983 seemingly straight out of university. His first senior management position, gained in 2002, was general manager of the company’s global marketing division.

mazda is the latest japanese automaker to appoint a new ceo

Masahiro Moro

He then moved to the Continent in 2004 to be the company’s European chief. Four years later he returned to Japan the join the company’s board, and become head of global marketing. He added responsibility for global sale coordination, and customer service in 2013.

In 2016 he became the head of Mazda’s North American operations. Then in 2021 Moro moved back home to oversee the company’s communications, corporate liaison, and sustainability departments.

Marumoto, the outgoing CEO, told the press Moro was partially chosen for bringing Mazda’s North American arm back to profit.

Indeed, Moro stated at the press conference to confirm the transition that he has two main short term objectives: “One is to successfully roll out large products, which will be a major growth driver for putting the company on a growth trajectory.

“The second is to implement company-wide cost reduction activities, including all supply chains and value chains, in order to further improve management efficiency going forward, so as to make our overall business more robust.”

mazda is the latest japanese automaker to appoint a new ceo

Mazda is in the midst of rolling out four crossovers based on a new rear- and all-wheel drive architecture that supports mild and plug-in hybrid drivetrains.

The smaller CX-60 and CX-80 models are aimed at Europe and Japan, while the larger CX-70 and CX-90 will push the brand into more expensive, and, it’s hoped, more profitable territory in the US.

Exports account for 86 per cent of Mazda’s sales, with North America accounting for 36 per cent of the total.

mazda is the latest japanese automaker to appoint a new ceo

Mazda’s focus on the US is highlighted by the promotion of Jeffrey Guyton to the position of chief financial officer, “assistant to the president”, and a seat on the automaker’s board.

Guyton is currently the head of the company’s North American unit, a position he will retain.

Mazda is the second automaker in Toyota’s sphere of influence to change its leader. Subaru, which Toyota owns 20 per cent of, announced at the beginning of March that Atsushi Osaki will become its new CEO in June.

Toyota owns a smaller 5.0 per cent stake in Mazda.

These moves follow upheaval in Toyota’s management ranks. At the end of January, Akio Toyoda, grandson of the automaker’s founder, announced he will stand aside in April, and hand over the reigns to Koji Sato, currently the head of the Lexus and GR Sport divisions.

Osaki and Sato have been charged with speeding up their company’s transition to EVs.

mazda is the latest japanese automaker to appoint a new ceo

Masahiro Moro and Akira Marumoto

If all goes according to plan, Moro will be approved by shareholders to replace Marumoto in June.

Marumoto joined Mazda back in 1980, and has worked primarily in product development and program planning.

Since joining the board of directors in 2010, Marumoto has looked after product strategy, cost control and brand enhancement.

He has overseen the company’s continued push upmarket with the latest Mazda 3, and into new technologies, such as the SkyActiv-X compression ignition petrol engine.

Under Marumoto’s leadership Mazda has also strengthened its partnership with Toyota, with the two companies jointly building a new factory in the US. In addition to this, Mazda has used Toyota’s hybrid systems in Japan.

Marumoto express skepticism about the global market’s appetite for EVs, stating in 2020 that pure electric vehicles would only make up around five per cent of its total sales by 2030, with partial electrification playing a larger role in driving down CO2 emissions.

He also stated that autonomous driving technology would end up being a complement or “co-pilot” for a human driver rather than a replacement.

Keyword: Mazda is the latest Japanese automaker to appoint a new CEO

CAR'S NEWS RELATED

Surprisingly, Mazda's Push To Move Upmarket Is Actually Working

Photo: Mazda Thanks to the popularity of the CX-50 and CX-90, Mazda’s profits grew significantly in the last quarter, Automotive News reports. In fact, the Japanese automaker believes this fiscal year will be the best on record from both a profit and U.S. sales perspective. If its forecasts are ...

View more: Surprisingly, Mazda's Push To Move Upmarket Is Actually Working

Mazda Says "Very Cool" MX-5 Miata Special Editions Are Coming

MX-5 Program Manager Shigeki Saito says the ND generation will be sold for as long as possible.

View more: Mazda Says "Very Cool" MX-5 Miata Special Editions Are Coming

Best-selling bakkies in South Africa – Models and pricing

Best-selling bakkies in South Africa 1. Toyota Hilux – 3,110 units 2. Ford Ranger – 1,853 units 3. Isuzu D-Max – 1,464 units 4. Nissan NP200 – 961 units 5. Mahindra Pik Up – 565 units 6. Nissan Navara – 354 units 7. VW Amarok – 352 units 8. ...

View more: Best-selling bakkies in South Africa – Models and pricing

Mazda CX-8 and MX-30 Saying Goodbye to Australia at the End of 2023

Mazda has confirmed that the CX-8 and the MX-30 will be saying goodbye to the Australian market at the end of 2023 as Mazda looks to expand its range of hybrid, plug-in hybrid and battery-electric offerings. The news comes as a bit of a surprise, at least for the MX-30, ...

View more: Mazda CX-8 and MX-30 Saying Goodbye to Australia at the End of 2023

Mazda Hits Two Million Production Milestone for Famed Rotary Engines

Mazda has announced it has hit a new production milestone for its famed rotary engines, with the company’s production volumes exceeding two million units in total. Fifty-six years after the Mazda Cosmo Sport (Mazda 110S) was introduced to the world in 1967 and after multiple production shutdowns and a dozen ...

View more: Mazda Hits Two Million Production Milestone for Famed Rotary Engines

Mazda sports car concept in Tokyo previews the future of the MX-5

The Mazda Iconic SP is the clearest indication yet that the MX-5, currently in its fourth generation, will continue delighting drivers worldwide for another model generation.  With this promising development, the MX-5 will continue to be the Japanese equivalent of the Porsche 911 – evergreen, popular everywhere, highly recognisable ...

View more: Mazda sports car concept in Tokyo previews the future of the MX-5

Mazda Miata Owner Regrets Getting Retractable Hardtop

The folding hardtop causes issues for a track car.

View more: Mazda Miata Owner Regrets Getting Retractable Hardtop

Mazda Says It Can Shrink The Iconic SP To The Size Of A Miata

Chief Designer Masashi Nakayama mentions they intentionally made it bigger.

View more: Mazda Says It Can Shrink The Iconic SP To The Size Of A Miata

Mazda debuts gorgeous Iconic SP!

MY24 Mazda CX-30 Prices & Specs Confirmed, Arrives January

A Closer Look At the Mazda Iconic SP Concept In All Of Its FD RX-7-eqsue Glory

Honda Prelude, Mazda Iconic SP, Subaru Sport Mobility, Nissan Hyper Force: Rambling About Cars 147

Here's How The Rotary-Electric Powertrain Works In The Mazda Iconic SP Concept

The Rotary-Electric Mazda Iconic SP Concept Marks The Return of Pop Up Headlights

Mazda Iconic SP Concept Is An FD RX-7-Inspired Rotary Hybrid Beauty

The best of Tokyo: Japan Mobility Show's most innovative vehicle concepts

Mazda’s Iconic SP Concept Envisions a Futuristic MX-5 Lookalike

JMS 2023: The Iconic SP is Mazda’s vision of a carbon-neutral sports car

Mazda Unveils ‘Iconic SP’ Concept with 272kW Rotary EV Hybrid

Mazda Unveils Iconic SP Concept at Japan Mobility Show

OTHER CAR NEWS

; Top List in the World https://www.pinterest.com/newstopcar/pins/
Top Best Sushi Restaurants in SeoulTop Best Caribbean HoneymoonsTop Most Beautiful Islands in PeruTop Best Outdoor Grill BrandsTop Best Global Seafood RestaurantsTop Foods to Boost Your Immune SystemTop Best Foods to Fight HemorrhoidsTop Foods That Pack More Potassium Than a BananaTop Best Healthy Foods to Gain Weight FastTop Best Cosmetic Brands in the U.STop Best Destinations for Food Lovers in EuropeTop Best Foods High in Vitamin ATop Best Foods to Lower Your Blood SugarTop Best Things to Do in LouisianaTop Best Cities to Visit in New YorkTop Best Makeup Addresses In PennsylvaniaTop Reasons to Visit NorwayTop Most Beautiful Islands In The WorldTop Best Law Universities in the WorldTop Richest Sportsmen In The WorldTop Biggest Aquariums In The WorldTop Best Peruvian Restaurants In MiamiTop Best Road Trips From MiamiTop Best Places to Visit in MarylandTop Best Places to Visit in North CarolinaTop Best Electric Cars For KidsTop Best Swedish Brands in The USTop Best Skincare Brands in AmericaTop Best American Lipstick BrandsTop Michelin-starred Restaurants in MiamiTop Best Secluded Getaways From MiamiTop Best Things To Do On A Rainy Day In MiamiTop Most Instagrammable Places In MiamiTop Interesting Facts about FlorenceTop Facts About The First Roman Emperor - AugustusTop Best Japanese FoodsTop Most Beautiful Historical Sites in IsraelTop Best Places To Visit In Holy SeeTop Best Hawaiian IslandsTop Reasons to Visit PortugalTop Best Hotels In L.A. With Free Wi-FiTop Best Scenic Drives in MiamiTop Best Vegan Restaurants in BerlinTop Most Interesting Attractions In WalesTop Health Benefits of a Vegan DietTop Best Thai Restaurant in Las VegasTop Most Beautiful Forests in SwitzerlandTop Best Global Universities in GermanyTop Most Beautiful Lakes in GuyanaTop Best Things To Do in IdahoTop Things to Know Before Traveling to North MacedoniaTop Best German Sunglasses BrandsTop Highest Mountains In FranceTop Biggest Hydroelectric Plants in AmericaTop Best Spa Hotels in NYCTop The World's Scariest BridgeTop Largest Hotels In AmericaTop Most Famous Festivals in JordanTop Best European Restaurants in MunichTop Best Japanese Hiking Boot BrandsTop Best Universities in PolandTop Best Tips for Surfing the Web Safely and AnonymouslyTop Most Valuable Football Clubs in EuropeTop Highest Mountains In ColombiaTop Real-Life Characters of Texas RisingTop Best Beaches in GuatelamaTop Things About DR Congo You Should KnowTop Best Korean Reality & Variety ShowsTop Best RockstarsTop Most Beautiful Waterfalls in GermanyTop Best Fountain Pen Ink BrandsTop Best European Restaurants in ChicagoTop Best Fighter Jets in the WorldTop Best Three-Wheel MotorcyclesTop Most Beautiful Lakes in ManitobaTop Best Dive Sites in VenezuelaTop Best Websites For Art StudentsTop Best Japanese Instant Noodle BrandsTop Best Comedy Manhwa (Webtoons)Top Best Japanese Sunglasses BrandsTop Most Expensive Air Jordan SneakersTop Health Benefits of CucumberTop Famous Universities in SwedenTop Most Popular Films Starring Jo Jung-sukTop Interesting Facts about CougarsTop Best Hospitals for Hip Replacement in the USATop Most Expensive DefendersTop Health Benefits of GooseberriesTop Health Benefits of ParsnipsTop Best Foods and Drinks in LondonTop Health Benefits of Rosehip TeaTop Best Air Fryers for Low-fat CookingTop Most Asked Teacher Interview Questions with AnswersTop Best Shopping Malls in ZurichTop The Most Beautiful Botanical Gardens In L.A.Top Best Mexican Restaurants in Miami for Carb-loading rightTop Best Energy Companies in GermanyTop Best Garage HeatersTop Largest Banks in IrelandTop Leading Provider - Audit and Assurance In The USTop Best Jewelry Brands in IndiaTop Prettiest Streets in the UKTop Best Lakes to Visit in TunisiaTop Highest Mountains in Israel