CYPRESS, Calif., Nov. 25 /PRNewswire/ -- Mitsubishi Motors Corporation
today announced that effective January 1, 2009, Shinichi Kurihara (59) will
succeed Hiroshi Harunari as President and CEO of Mitsubishi Motors North
America (MMNA).
With the fulfillment of his three-year term, Hiroshi Harunari returns to
Japan for reassignment within Mitsubishi Motors Corporation. As President and
CEO of MMNA, Harunari made strides improving dealer communication and vastly
helped instill a culture of greater fiscal responsibility in day-to-day
operations. Harunari presided over the successful launches of the current
Eclipse Spyder, Outlander and Lancer products that currently comprise the
majority of the company's sales volume.
Incoming President and CEO, Shinichi Kurihara, returns to MMNA for his
third assignment in the United States from his current position of Senior
Executive Officer in the Product Strategy Office where he is responsible for
directing and coordinating all matters relating to MMC's product planning
activities worldwide, in addition to long-term marketing and brand
development.
Kurihara's previous U.S. assignments were from 1984-1988 in product
planning and marketing where he gained a solid foundation understanding
consumer habits. He returned to MMNA between 1996 and 2001 where he was
promoted to Senior Vice President of Product Strategy and oversaw an
aggressive series of product launches.
Kurihara intends to capitalize on Mitsubishi's core brand attributes that
strongly differentiate Mitsubishi in the marketplace. He also will take an
active role in reinforcing the success of Lancer and Outlander to help
energize Galant, Eclipse and the exciting forthcoming products.
Kurihara believes true success will come from developing programs that
integrate product development, manufacturing and sales, which leads to a more
effective and efficient Mitsubishi and a highly engaged dealer network.
About Mitsubishi Motors North America
Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc., (MMNA) is responsible for all
manufacturing, finance, sales, marketing, research and development operations
for Mitsubishi Motors in the United States. MMNA sells coupes, convertibles,
sedans, sport utility vehicles, and light trucks through a network of
approximately 480 dealers. For more information, contact the Mitsubishi
Motors News Bureau at (888) 560-6672 or visit media.mitsubishicars.com.
SOURCE Mitsubishi Motors Corporation
