Leadership changes mark the year in the auto industry

2011 may be remembered as the year of executive turnovers in the automotive industry.

Now this may be a “normal and routine” happenstance had it not been for the fact that the industry had just seen individuals taking over the top job from veterans.

This can be a tough assignment but with the way they are successfully excelling in their new role, expect something more momentous brewing on their respective turf.

Early in the year, Feb. 21 to be exact, Asian Carmakers Corp. and Columbian Autocar Corp. chair Jose Ch. Alvarez surprised the industry as he introduced two ladies who will both be taking the helm of his two important companies: Maricar Cristobal-Parco who assumed the top post at ACC, the country’s official distributor of BMW, and Ginia Domingo, who takes charge of CAC, which takes care of the Kia brand of vehicles in the in the Philippines.

Parco, who replaced Bobby Rosales, is bringing with her 18 years worth of expertise in the field of marketing and sales as well as media relations, having worked with Honda Cars and Ford.

Ginia Domingo, who replaced Felix Mabilog  Jr., started working in the automotive industry in 1989 working with Toyota, General Motors and then to Ford.

Two months after, on April 1, Honda Cars Phils. Inc. also announced the appointment of Tatsuya Natsume as its new president and GM, taking over Hiroshi Shimizu, who has been HCPI president for the past four years.

Natsume, who was formerly the marketing director of Honda Siel Cars, India  Ltd., is now on his fourth overseas assignment, having worked in Germany and Italy.

Also on that same date, Mitsubishi Motors Philippines Corp. transitions to new leader, appointing Hikosaburo Shibata as president and CEO.

Shibata, who was formerly Mitsubishi Motors Corp. vice corporate GM, replaced Masahiko Ueki who completed his three-year stint in the country.

Then on June 11, Isuzu Philippines Corp. announced the appointment of Takashi Tomita as the company’s new EVP, replacing Yuki Kato who just concluded a 10-year stint in the country.

Previously the GM for market research and development of Mitsubishi Corp.’s Isuzu Business Division in Japan, Tomita takes charge of IPC’s sales, finance and administration.

Tomita is bringing with him 30 years of experience. His most recent assignment was with the Tri Petch Isuzu Sales of Thailand, working with the department manager for sales planning and then as department manager for dealer sales.

Almost unnoticed is Dr. Wayne Lee assuming the position of president and CEO of Universal Motors Corp. after Elizabeth Lee resigned in June.

UMC, which concentrates on the production and marketing of Nissan light commercial vehicles is the country’s largest and oldest 100-percent Filipino-owned assembler and distributor.

Lee, who obtained his PhD in Finance from the University of California regarded himself veteran of the auto industry, having observed his father excel in the business for over 50 years.

Lexus Manila, the exclusive distributor of Lexus vehicles in the Philippines, also saw leadership changes as Masaki Shimomura takes the helm as EVP, replacing Hiroyuki Tsuda