In a bid to localize design and development, Irvine-based Mazda North American Operations is reorganizing its senior management.
Robert Davis, former senior vice president, product development and marketing, has been named to the new position of senior vice president, product development and quality, according to auto industry Web site Auto Channel.
Davis will be responsible for vehicle research and development, manufacturing and quality and planning for North America.
Madza also will be adding a senior vice president of sales and marketing, who will be named at a later date.
“For Mazda to increase our profitability and market share in North America, including Canada and Mexico, it’s critical that the vehicles we sell here be developed for and by our North American team,” said Jim O’Sullivan, chief executive of Mazda North American Operations, the U.S. arm of Japan’s Mazda Motor Corp.
“These changes give Robert Davis the authority,and the right team,to control two of our most important assets, product development and product quality,” he said.
The changes are set to take effect Jan. 1.
Mazda also promoted Shinji Mizukane to vice president, finance and chief financial officer from president, finance and assistant CFO. Mike Nakashima was promoted to director, strategic planning, from project leader of the Mexico study team.
Mazda Motor Corp. began selling in Mexico under a newly formed company, Mazda Motor de Mexico.
