Mitsubishi Motors Malaysia (MMM), the official distributor of Mitsubishi vehicles in the country, has announced Takashi Sakamaki as its new Chief Executive Officer, effective immediately. He takes over from Shinya Ikeda, who has helmed the company since October 2021.
Sakamaki is no stranger to the automotive world, bringing with him more than two decades of international experience with Mitsubishi Corporation. Over the years, he has worked extensively in China, Indonesia and Mexico, focusing on business strategy, export operations and market development.
His career has seen him take on senior roles that contributed to Mitsubishi’s global growth, from leading business development to handling CBU exports and strengthening OEM supply with global automakers.
Stepping into his new role, Sakamaki highlighted that it is both an honour and a responsibility to lead MMM at a time when the automotive industry is undergoing rapid changes. He noted that Mitsubishi’s strong heritage in Malaysia and the dedication of its local team will provide the foundation to face upcoming challenges and seize new opportunities.
According to him, MMM has spent two decades redefining mobility for Malaysian customers, and the company remains committed to safety, security and comfort, while delivering vehicles that inspire confidence and awaken the adventurous spirit.
Under outgoing CEO Shinya Ikeda, MMM rolled out several important models that strengthened the brand’s position in Malaysia. This included the launch of the sixth-generation Triton, a cornerstone of Mitsubishi’s line-up, as well as the facelifted XPANDER, which quickly grew into the best-selling non-national MPV in the country.
Since their introductions in 2006 and 2020 respectively, over 120,000 Triton units and 50,000 XPANDERs have been sold nationwide, underlining their popularity and Mitsubishi’s understanding of the Malaysian market.
With Sakamaki now at the helm, Mitsubishi Motors Malaysia looks set to build on this strong momentum, while continuing to deliver vehicles that suit the lifestyle and expectations of local drivers.
