Suzuki Australia would like to announce the appointment of Mr Yoshiyuki Hakamata as its new Managing Director, replacing Mr Masaaki Kato who will be returning to Japan towards the end of July after five and a half years in Australia to commence work on a new assignment with Suzuki Motor Corporation.

Having joined the company in 1985, Mr Hakamata's three decades' of experience has played a pivotal role in shaping a variety of key areas of Suzuki Motor Corporation including Personnel, Public Affairs, Corporate Planning, and Marketing of both Automobiles and Motorcycles. Most recently he was based at Suzuki Motor Corporation head office in Hamamatsu, Japan, managing the Overseas Affiliates Management Group in the Global Business Administration Department.

Drawing on his vast experience, Mr Hakamata will now direct his attention to maximising opportunities in Australia, no doubt assisted through his previous posting in the Oceania Automobile Group from 2005 to 2007.

"Mr Kato has done remarkable work during his time here in Australia and I am very excited to have the opportunity to continue to build upon this," said Mr Hakamata.

"Australia is a very important market for Suzuki Motor Corporation, and I am both honoured and humbled to have been selected to lead such a dedicated and dynamic team." 

Mr. Yoshiyuki Hakamata, Brief Career Summary:

Apr. 1985: Joined Suzuki Motor Corporation

Jul. 1985: Personnel Group, Personnel Dept.

Apr. 1991: Public Affairs Group, Tokyo Branch

Jan. 1995: Corporate Planning Group, Corporate Planning Dept.

Jan. 2001: Overseas Automobile Planning Group, Overseas Planning Dept.

Apr. 2002: K Project, Overseas Operations

Oct. 2003: Overseas Automobile Planning Group, Overseas Planning Dept.

Jun. 2005: Oceania Automobile Group, GM/Oceania Automobile Dept.

Jul. 2006: North America Automobile Group, America/Oceania Automobile Dept.

Jun. 2007: Oceania Automobile Group, America/Oceania Automobile Dept.

Jan: 2008: Vietnam Suzuki Corporation

Nov. 2010: Marketing Group, Business Development Dept.

Jan. 2013: Motorcycle Marketing Planning Group, Motorcycle Operations

Jul. 2015: Overseas Affiliates Management Group, Global Business Administration Dept.

Jun. 2017: Suzuki Australia Pty Ltd.