Mitsubishi Appoints Former Americas Head as New President, Successor to CEO

According to foreign media reports, Mitsubishi Motors has announced its first major management reshuffle since 2019, appointing Keisuke Kishiura, an early electric vehicle advocate and former Americas executive, as its new President and Chief Operating Officer (COO). He will succeed current Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Takao Kato.

Image source: Mitsubishi Motors

According to a statement released by Mitsubishi Motors on January 22, Keisuke Kishiura will officially assume the role of President and COO on April 1, 2026, and will join the board of directors following approval at the annual general meeting of shareholders later this year.

Takao Kato has been leading Mitsubishi Motors since taking over the reins in 2019 from long-time president Osamu Masuko. Pending support at the general meeting of shareholders, he will continue to serve as CEO and take on the additional role of Chairman. Mitsubishi Motors has not yet announced the specific date for the annual shareholders' meeting, which is typically held in June.

This personnel change signifies that Keisuke Kishiura, 56, will succeed Takao Kato, 63, to lead the Japanese minicar manufacturer into a new era of leadership. Keisuke Kishiura has been serving as Executive Officer in charge of Corporate Planning since April 2025.

Takao KatoTerm and Challenges

Takao Kato took office during a turbulent period, when Mitsubishi Motors was struggling in the aftermath of the arrest of former chairman Carlos Ghosn. Ghosn had served as chairman of Mitsubishi and its alliance partners Nissan and Renault until his removal in late 2018.

Under the leadership of Takao Kato, Mitsubishi has re-established its independence and is gradually restoring the company's financial stability by focusing on key markets such as Southeast Asia. However, the current fiscal year's global sales forecast of 843,000 units is still below the million-unit level achieved during the Carlos Ghosn era. Moreover, as the company is highly dependent on imports, changes in US tariff policies are posing a significant threat to its profits.

The Predicament of the US Market andKeisuke KishiuraExperience of

Mitsubishi plans to expand its meager product line of only four models in the US market. However, the company remains the only Japanese automaker in the US market without a North American production base.

Since closing its Normal, Illinois plant in 2015, all vehicles Mitsubishi sells in the U.S. are effectively imports. The plant was later acquired and retooled by electric vehicle startup Rivian. At the time, Mitsubishi was in the early stages of a restructuring plan, which led to the cessation of production at the plant.

Keisuke KishiuraRole in the Electric Vehicle Business

Keisuke Kishiura, 56, served as Chief Operating Officer of Mitsubishi Motors North America from 2023 to 2025, overseeing business operations in the region as Mitsubishi explored deeper collaboration with partner Nissan.

Prior to this, Keisuke Kishiura worked in corporate planning and held positions in Europe and Thailand. Back in 2011, he was promoted to "expert" in the business development division for electric vehicles at Mitsubishi Motors. At the time, Mitsubishi was an early leader in the global electric vehicle sector, thanks to its i-MiEV electric microcar.