Mitsuhata

Toyo Tire has named Tatsuo Mitsuhata as President and CEO of Toyo Tire U.S.A., effective January 1, 2012. Mr. Mitsuhata has been at Toyo 23 years and will replace Yashushi Takagi. Tatsuo has climbed the ranks at Toyo and was most recently the Head of Sales for Toyo Overseas.

“Tatsuo Mitsuhata is an experienced veteran of Toyo Tires worldwide, with prior service in the U.S.,” said Takashi Shimizu, president and CEO, Toyo Tire Holdings of Americas Inc. “We look forward to bringing his leadership and extensive knowledge to Toyo Tire U.S.A. Corp. as the Toyo Tires brand continues to expand in this country.”

SoCal SAYS: This may seem like a minor story, but we hope that Mr. Mitsuhata will dedicate more of Toyo USA’s time to lifted trucks. The last CEO seemed to care most about cars, but Toyo owns the lifted truck tire market. They should go bigger than they are currently and do more with the Nitto brand. Lots of potential here…let’s see what Tatsuo Mitsuhata can do.