Honda Malaysia gets first woman CEO
Honda Malaysia welcomed its first woman Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Ms Madoka Chujo, who succeeded Mr Toichi Ishiyama.
Ms Chujo officially assumed office in Malaysia on 1st April 2021. Before this role, she was the Vice President at Honda Canada Inc., strategising the Company’s Sales and Marketing since 2019. Ms Chujo’s career in Honda started 23 years ago in 1997. Over the years, she has held various roles in Japan, China, Spain and Canada. Her expertise and experience are in the sales strategy area during her various stints in the countries she served.
Commenting on her new role at Honda Malaysia, Ms Chujo said, “Malaysia is indeed an important market in the Asia and Oceania region. Honda Malaysia achieves various significant sales milestones and has become one of the country’s leading automotive brands. I was looking forward and excited for my first assignment as the MD and CEO of Honda Malaysia. At the same time, I am also eager to explore Malaysia as the country is unique and a melting pot of diverse cultures and people. Malaysia has enormous potential and, of course, a fast-paced work environment.”
Her predecessor in Honda Malaysia has done an excellent job
Ms Chujo’s predecessor Mr Ishiyama joined Honda Malaysia in November 2017. In Malaysia, his first launch was the World’s Fastest (FWD) Production Car, the Civic Type R, in 2017. Throughout the following years, Mr Ishiyama also launched various new models, notably the 5th Generation All-New City and the World Premiere of RS e: HEV in October 2020. At this world premiere, Honda’s e: TECHNOLOGY initiative was officially introduced in the Asia and Oceania Region.
During his over three years in Malaysia, Mr Ishiyama successfully led Honda Malaysia to achieve 900,000 sales in 2019. He maintained its position as the No. 1 Non‑National Car Brand for six consecutive years in 2020. Under Mr Ishiyama’s watch, the company celebrated a remarkable milestone of reaching the one-millionth sales unit in March 2021. This achievement is particularly noteworthy as Mr Ishiyama manoeuvred the company through a challenging time during the COVID-19 pandemic since March last year.
Mr Ishiyama has headed back to Japan to assume a new role in Business Automobile, Business Strategy Division, Honda Motor Co., Ltd., Japan.