- Isuzu UTE Australia appoints first ever female Director, Ms. Reiko Sato, as Deputy Managing Director, replacing Mr Takuji Ozawa, who has returned to Japan to take up a new role within Mitsubishi Corporation.
- Ms. Reiko Sato, will take direct responsibility for Finance & Accounting, Information Technology, Administration & HR.
- Mr. Kenichi (Ken) Kudo is set to join IUA as Deputy General Manager of Product Planning, replacing Mr. Takeshi (Ima) Imanari who has returned to Japan to take up a new role within the Isuzu business.
Following the successful launch of the All-New MU-X and the new D-MAX, Isuzu UTE Australia's (IUA) have announced an internal management change to continue shaping the brand's future and driving further success—an announcement that sees the appointment of IUA's first female Director, Ms. Reiko Sato.
A Chartered Certified Practicing Account (CPA) by trade, Ms. Reiko Sato holds an extensive accounting and administration background and joined the IUA family in October 2021, as the Deputy Managing Director directly responsible for Finance & Accounting, Information Technology and Administration & Human Resources. Ms. Sato replaced Mr Takuji Ozawa, who returned to Japan to take up a new role within Mitsubishi Corporation.
Under Mr. Ozawa's two and half-year leadership, IUA has expanded and improved its internal operations; commissioning a heavily-renovated head office in Brisbane, Queensland and introduced new systems and procedures—improving internal processes and contributing to the company's wider success.
After close to seven years of service at IUA, Deputy General Manager of Product Planning, Mr. Takeshi (Ima) Imanari, has returned to Japan, with Mr. Kenichi (Ken) Kudo assuming his role. An integral part of the product development of the All-New MU-X and new D-MAX; Mr. Imanari contributed significantly to the constant model improvements that drove IUA's growth over the years.
Responsible for Sales & Marketing Planning over the past five years at Isuzu Motors International Thailand (IMIT) and with an extensive background in automotive, Mr. Kenichi (Ken) Kudo has picked up where Mr. Imanari left off, and will assume the task of continuing to develop the D-MAX and MU-X to meet the needs of the ever-evolving Australian automotive market.
"This announcement will see two fundamental decision makers responsible for much of the IUA's growth over the past few years return home, to Japan, with their replacements set to bring in a fresh perspective, along with years of experience from overseas markets to help develop our operations here in Australia," said Isuzu UTE Australia Managing Director, Hiroyasu Sato.
"We are indebted to Mr. Ozawa and Mr. Imanari for their service and commitment to the brand over the years and we are excited to welcome Mr. Kudo and our first female Director, Ms. Sato to the IUA family."
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About Isuzu UTE
Based in Brisbane, Queensland, Isuzu UTE Australia was founded in 2008 bringing the award-winning Isuzu D-MAX to Australia and then in 2013, the Isuzu MU-X 7-seat SUV. Despite being comparatively new to Australia, our global network is extremely well established with over 100 years of automotive experience and expertise behind us.
We are a wholly owned subsidiary of Japan's largest trading and investment company, Mitsubishi Corporation with which Isuzu Motors Limited has extensive business arrangements. Isuzu Motors dates back to 1916 and is now the world's largest manufacturer of trucks and diesel engines. Producing heavy, medium and light-duty trucks, buses, passenger vehicle engines, marine and industrial-use diesel engines, Isuzu Motors is at the forefront of vehicle chassis and diesel engine technology.
Our resources and our automotive knowledge are vast, and this shows in the quality of our product and level of service. With a network of over 160 authorised Isuzu UTE outlets across every state and territory in Australia, we pride ourselves on providing the highest level of service and support throughout the entire country.