Takeshi Hirano Appointed As Isuzu's New Deputy Managing Director
Isuzu Motors India has announced a senior leadership transition that will take effect in March 2026. Takeshi Hirano has been appointed Deputy Managing Director, succeeding Toru Kishimoto, who will now move on to a new assignment at the headquarters of Isuzu Motors Limited in Japan.
The company said the management reshuffle is part of its broader organisational strategy and long-term business planning.
Hirano joins Isuzu Motors India from Mitsubishi Corporation in Japan, where he worked within Isuzu’s business division. He brings more than two decades of experience in distribution and marketing for the Isuzu brand across multiple international markets
Over the course of his career, Hirano has held several roles managing operations for both Isuzu Motors and Mitsubishi Corporation across different regions.
His appointment also marks a return to familiar territory. Hirano previously served at Isuzu Motors India as Vice President of Sales and Marketing. During that time, he played an important role in building the company’s early commercial foundation and strengthening its market presence in India.
His return comes at a time when the automaker is working to expand its footprint in the domestic market while continuing to grow its export operations.
The current Deputy Managing Director Toru Kishimoto will now take up a new role at Isuzu’s headquarters in Japan. The company stated that the transition aligns with its overall business strategy and global organisational plans.
Kishimoto’s tenure coincided with a period of steady growth for Isuzu in India, particularly in the lifestyle pickup segment and export operations.
Established in August 2012, Isuzu Motors India operates as the Indian subsidiary of Isuzu Motors Limited. Headquartered in Chennai, the company offers a mix of lifestyle, passenger and commercial vehicles in the country.
Its personal vehicle lineup includes the Isuzu D-Max V-Cross lifestyle pickup which recently got a facelift here, the Isuzu Hi-Lander pickup and the seven-seat Isuzu MU-X SUV.
For commercial buyers, the brand sells several versions of the D-Max pickup range, including the D-Max S-CAB, S-CAB Z and the D-Max Regular Cab.
The company has also expanded its specialised vehicle offerings with the introduction of a fully built ambulance that complies with AIS-125 Type C specifications.
Isuzu manufactures vehicles for the Indian market at its facility in Sri City in Andhra Pradesh. The plant spans around 107 acres and began operations in April 2016.
In 2020, the company expanded its manufacturing capabilities by adding a press shop and an engine assembly plant at the facility. The factory now caters to both domestic production and those earmarked for exports to several international markets.
According to data from the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM), Isuzu Motors India emerged as the country’s top exporter of commercial vehicles in FY2024-25.
Isuzu currently operates a network of dealer touchpoints across 100 locations nationwide. It continues to focus on strengthening its presence in the Indian market. With Hirano taking over the Deputy Managing Director role, Isuzu appears set to further reinforce its strategy of combining domestic growth with strong export performance.