Maruti appoints Kenichi Ayukawa as new top boss

Country's largest carmaker, Maruti Suzuki India has appointed Kenichi Ayukawa as the new Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer in place of Shinzo Nakanishi. The new appointment would be effective from 1st April 2013 as Mr Nakanishi has attained the age of retirement. 

The changes were decided in a Board meeting of the company, which was also attended by Suzuki Motor Corporation Chairman Osamu Suzuki, which owns 54.4per cent in the Indian company. S Nakanishi, who has steered Maruti Suzuki for the past six years as its Managing Director & CEO has been associated with the company right from its inception in 1982. He served in various capacities in Maruti Suzuki for the past 30 years including its Chairman, when Jagdish Khattar was its Managing Director. Nakanishi had succeeded Mr Khattar as the new Managing Director in December 2007. 

The new incumbent, Kenichi Ayukawa has been associated with the European operations of Suzuki Motor Corporation and would take over the Indian operations from April 1. His appointment was approved by the Maruti Suzuki Board on Friday.