Isuzu PH announces new President

Isuzu Philippines Corporation (IPC) formally announced the appointment of Hajime Koso as its new president, replacing outgoing president Nobuo Izumina who will be assigned as the Director of Isuzu Body Corporation, an affiliate of Isuzu Motors Limited (IML) in Japan.

A native of Okayama Japan, the 57 years old executive has been working for IML for 35 years handling mostly sales and overseas operations. He was recently the president of Isuzu Motors Kyusyu Limited and joined IML’s Domestic Sales Department in 1980 after receiving a degree in Social Sciences and Applied Economics at Hosei University in Tokyo.

In 1999, Koso was assigned the role of Vice President for Logistics and Export of Isuzu Motors America. Four years later in 2003, he became IML’s General Manager for ASEAN Sales; then General Manager for North and South Americas Division in 2008 before assuming the same position for China and the ASEAN Division in 2009. In 2010, he was assigned the position of Vice President of Isuzu Astra Motor Indonesia.

According to Koso, "The Philippine automotive industry is slowly setting up its pace. In the past two years, the country’s record for automotive sales has seen a significant growth which is probably due to the overall growth of the economy. My previous assignment in Indonesia made me aware of the ASEAN market, the Philippines will be a challenging task but I think it will be worthwhile.”

The new President is confident to carry on the accomplishments of his successor Izumina, which includes a record high of 14,134 units sold in 2014, maintaining the number one position of the Isuzu N-Series trucks in the light-duty category, the introduction of the much awaited Isuzu D-MAX and Isuzu mu-X and the 100,000 production units and sales of its best-selling Isuzu Crosswind.

“In this competitive market, we need to constantly keep up or get left behind. Isuzu has always been ready for what’s to come and for us to reap the benefits of this healthy economy, we vow to continue providing new and exciting products that will surely satisfy the consumer’s needs” adds Koso.