Masakazu Yoshimura to take charge as Toyota India MD

Today, as part of its management restructuring in India, Toyota Kirloskar Motor announced that Masakazu Yoshimura will replace Akito Tachibana as managing director of the company. The formal appointment of the new managing director will be made at a board meeting scheduled for January 22, 2019.

Masakazu Yoshimura will be responsible for overall leadership and strategic direction of Toyota’s business operations in India. He possesses over 25 years of automobile experience in diverse areas covering product planning, pricing, sales and marketing. Prior to this appointment, he was general manager at Toyota Motor Corporation [East Asia and Oceania Division].

Speaking on his new proposed appointment, Yoshimura said, “I am excited to work in the challenging Indian market. I look forward to everyone’s continued support to build on the growing momentum of sustainable operations in the region.”

Akito Tachibana took charge of Toyota’s India operations in April 2016. He oversaw the launch of the Innova Crysta, which the brand’s highest selling model followed by the Fortuner. However its more mass-market models such as the Etios sedan and Etios Liva hatchback have failed to gain momentum in our market.