Mazda Shuffles Upper Management Ranks, Changes Global Design Team

Just like Nancy Pelosi, White House spokeswoman, said yesterday, companies involved in the automotive sector have to make sacrifices in order to cope with the recession and get out without too many losses. However, it may seem like the same rule applies to all car manufacturers around the world, including Japanese companies who are now making a series of changes in the upper management.

Mazda Motor Corporation today announced that Laurens van den Acker will leave the company on April 10 to be replaced by Ikuo Maeda who will become responsible for the design of all Mazda models around the world. Appointed General Manager of Mazda Motor Corporation’s Design Division, effective April 1, 2009, Maeda will work at the company's world headquarters in Hiroshima, Japan but will lead a global design team who has in charge the overall design and styling of every single model produced by the company.

Maeda previous worked as Chief Designer of the Design Strategic Studio at Mazda's headquarters and was in charge of advanced design at Mazda's Yokohama Design Studio from 1985 to 1986. Being dispatched to Ford’s Design Studio in Detroit in 1999 and 2000, Maeda returned to Mazda in 2000 as Chief Designer. His most popular creations include the RX-8 sports car and Mazda2.

“Maeda-san has played a pivotal role in the success that Mazda Design has experienced globally,” says Seita Kanai, Mazda’s Senior Executive Officer of Research and Design. “His local and global experience make him well-qualified to take Mazda Design to the next stage.”

“We appreciate the contribution made by Laurens van den Acker. He and his team have taken Mazda Design to new heights and we wish him well for the future."