Mitsubishi Motors has announced a management shake-up with Briton Trevor Mann, who has been the firm’s chief operating officer since 2016, leaving the firm.
Mann has served as the Japanese car maker’s COO since Nissan’s acquisition of a controlling 34% stake in the firm. Mann was a close ally of Carlos Ghosn, Mitsubishi’s former chairman and CEO who was stripped of his roles following his arrest in Japan on financial misconduct charges relating to his leadership of Nissan.
Vincent Cobee, Mitsubishi’s head of product strategy, is also leaving the firm. Both moves will be effective from 1 April. Ashwani Gupta, previously head of the Renault-Nissan LCV Business Unit, has been appointed COO, with Nobuju Tsuji named new strategy boss.
Osamu Masuko continues as Mitsubishi’s CEO and chairman, having been appointed to those roles following Ghosn’s removal.
Mann started his career in the car industry working at Nissan’s Sunderland plant, becoming the firm’s head of UK manufacturing before taking on various roles at Nissan’s headquarters in Japan.
Mann and Cobee had been key in guiding Mitsubishi's future strategy, including the expansion of its electrification plans to build on its successful Outlander PHEV and future line-up.
The Mitsubishi reshuffle follows the creation of a new board to govern the Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi Alliance, as part of a “fresh start” following Ghosn’s depature.
In separate news, Nissan and Mitsubishi will launch new key cars in Japan through their NKMV joint venture as part of moves to “expand their collaboration”.
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