Yoichi Yokozawa to replace Shinichi Kurihara as Mitsubishi CEO in the U.S. on April 1

Mitsubishi Motors Corp.'s North American management will undergo some shuffling, with Shinichi Kurihara being replaced as CEO of Mitsubishi Motors North America by Yoichi Yokozawa, executive vice president of MMNA. Mitsubishi informed dealers about the changes, which will take effect on April 1. Kurihara, formerly the head of global product development and instrumental in developing th

e Lancer Evolution sports sedan, will go back to headquarters in Japan to be an assistant to Mitsubishi President Osamu Masuko.

A Mitsubishi spokesman in Japan said that Kurihara�s specific responsibilities will be announced shortly. Since joining Mitsubishi in 1998, Yokozawa has held a variety of business and finance roles within the company.

The other personnel adjustments include the creation of a new North America Office at headquarters in Japan to better oversee U.S. operations. Fumio Kuwayama will lead this office. Mitsubishi will also create a new North America Production Project Team to coordinate the overhaul of Mitsubishi's assembly plant in Illinois and the presentation of a new model, the Outlander Sport small crossover.[via - 4wheelsnews]