Mitsubishi Motors Appoints New CEO to Advance Honda-Nissan Alliance Against Chinese EV Rivals

Mitsubishi Motors announced that Keisuke Kishihara, currently General Manager of the Corporate Planning Headquarters, will assume the roles of President and Chief Operating Officer (COO) effective April 1, overseeing business operations. Current President Takao Kato will transition to Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and then become Chairman in June, focusing on overall corporate strategy. This leadership reshuffle comes amid a sharp decline in Mitsubishi’s net profit and persistently weak sales. Upon taking office, Kishihara will prioritize advancing the strategic partnership signed in August 2024 among Mitsubishi, Honda, and Nissan, with a focus on joint development of battery electric vehicles (BEVs) and intelligent technologies. The collaboration aims to enhance competitiveness through cost sharing, jointly address the rapid rise of Chinese automakers, and accelerate progress toward carbon neutrality goals.