Tokyo, Aug 27: Ford Motor Co appointed Hisakazu imaki as the new president of Mazda Motor Corp, current Mazda leader Lewis Booth said today. Imaki is the Japanese automaker's first homegrown chief executive since Ford acquired a controlling stake seven years ago. Imaki, who joined Mazda in 1965, has been vice president responsible for research and production since March of last year. He has focused primarily on production technology and planning throughout his career.

As a senior executive, he launched the Mazda6 - called the Atenza in Japan - the automaker's new sedan that helped lead a revival in sales. Ford motor co raised its stake in Mazda to 33.4 per cent in 1996 and implemented a restructuring plan that cut jobs, slashed costs, and stressed the introduction of new models and growth.

In the April-June quarter it sold 2,45,000 vehicles, up 10 per cent from last year.

The RX-8 sports car and the Demio subcompact, sold as the Mazda2 in Europe, have also helped drive the rebound in sales. Booth is the fourth executive Ford has sent to run Mazda. He will become president of Ford Europe.

Bureau Report