The Maruti Suzuki board has appointed Hisashi Takeuchi as the Managing Director and CEO with effect from April 1, 2022. Current MD, Kenichi Ayukawa’s term comes to an end on March 31, 2022 and he will continue as Executive Vice Chairman & Whole-time Director till September, 2022 in order to facilitate a smooth transition.

Speaking on the transition, Ayukawa said, “India is one of the most interesting and promising automobile markets in the world and it has been both a challenging and a fulfilling stint for me. Hisashi Takeuchi has an excellent understanding of the Indian as well as international markets and is placed well to lead Maruti Suzuki into the future. I wish him a successful journey ahead.”           

The newly appointed MD Hisashi Takeuchi added that, “Maruti Suzuki is a great organisation with a rich legacy and it will be my endeavour that we keep serving more and more customers both in India and the world with exciting cars that are good for them, environment and society. We will also try to build our business in a manner that strengthens Atmanirbhar Bharat and the economic growth of India.”

Takeuchi joined Suzuki Motor Corporation (SMC) in 1986. With vast experience in the international operations at SMC as well as in overseas markets, he has been on the Board of Maruti Suzuki since July 2019 and as Joint Managing Director (Commercial) since April 2021. Ayukawa has been the Managing Director of Maruti Suzuki India since April 2013.