Mitsubishi Motors Malaysia Names Takashi Sakamaki as New CEO

KUALA LUMPUR: Mitsubishi Motors Malaysia (MMM), the official distributor of Mitsubishi vehicles in the country, has announced the appointment of Takashi Sakamaki as its new Chief Executive Officer (CEO), effective immediately.

Sakamaki takes over from Shinya Ikeda, who has been leading the company since October 2021.

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With more than two decades in the automotive industry, Sakamaki brings a strong international background to his new role. His career within Mitsubishi Corporation (MC) has seen him take on senior roles across China, Indonesia, and Mexico, where he was involved in business development, export operations, and market expansion.

Sakamaki has previously overseen CBU exports, spearheaded OEM supply growth, and played a key role in driving Mitsubishi’s global business footprint.

Sakamaki’s First Words as CEO

“It is an honour to take on the leadership of Mitsubishi Motors Malaysia at such a dynamic time for the automotive industry. With Mitsubishi Motors’ strong heritage in Malaysia and the dedication of our talented team, I am confident we are well-positioned to navigate emerging challenges and seize new opportunities,” said Sakamaki in his first statement as CEO.

He added that MMM’s mission remains the same: to deliver safety, security, and comfort for customers, while also sparking the adventurous spirit that has long been associated with Mitsubishi.

“Twenty years ago, MMM set out to redefine mobility in Malaysia. Today, we celebrate not just our journey, but the trust of every driver who chose Mitsubishi. Our commitment remains unwavering – to provide a fulfilling mobility lifestyle built on reliable technology and peace of mind,” he said.

Ikeda’s Tenure and Mitsubishi’s Recent Milestones

During Shinya Ikeda’s time as CEO, MMM rolled out the sixth-generation Mitsubishi Triton, as well as the facelifted XPANDER, which has since become Malaysia’s best-selling non-national MPV.

To date, more than 120,000 units of the Triton and 50,000 units of the XPANDER have been sold locally since their respective launches in 2006 and 2020. These numbers underline Mitsubishi’s foothold in the Malaysian market and the brand’s strategy of building cars suited to local needs.

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