Mitsubishi Hires a Top Executive From Ford, Honda

摘要

Hoping to boost sagging sales in its home market, Mitsubishi Motors Corp. is taking an unusual step for a Japanese car maker and Wring a top executive who has worked at two rivals, Honda Motor Co. and Ford Japan Ltd.. Mitsubishi, which is in the midst of a restructuring led by major shareholder DaimlerChrysler AG, will appoint Eiji Iwakuni to its board of directors. Mr. Iwakuni has been head of Ford Japan, the Japanese unit of Ford Motor Co., for the past three years, after a 32-year career at Honda, where he became known for overhauling the domestic sales network. Mr. Iwakuni said his decision to leave Ford stems in part from a disagreement with his bosses in Detroit over his role in Ford's attempt to cultivate ties with Toyota Motor Corp. and other Japanese car makers. Ford Japan issued a terse statement two weeks ago announcing Mr. Iwakuni's immediate resignation.