Former Mitsubishi chairman dies at 71

Mitsubishi Motors Corporation (MMC) special adviser and former board chairman and representative officer Osamu Masuko has died aged 71 shortly after retiring

due to ill health.

He led MMC for more than 15 years and saw the introduction of its electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles.

Masuko was appointed president in January 2005. He developed and implemented MMC’s Revitalisation Plan.

While aiming at realistic management with a direction of selection and concentration, Masuko led the development of advanced environmentally-friendly vehicles including the world’s first mass-produced EV, the i-MiEV, as well as the world’s first SUV plug-in hybrid, the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV, MMC says.

In addition, he built solid relationships with the management of partners, the Alliance companies and the Mitsubishi Group through good communications by leveraging his personality and extensive connections.

“On behalf of the deceased former chairman, Mr Masuko, we would like to express our sincere gratitude for the generosity that he and MMC received,” chief executive officer Takao Kato says.

A private vigil and funeral was held for Masuko following his death on August 27.