Nissan Tech Chief to Take Over MMC’s Product Development

Nissan Motor Co., which is acquiring a one-third controlling stake in Mitsubishi Motors Corp., plans to install its former global head of product and technology as product development chief at scandal-torn MMC, according to media reports.

Sources tell Reuters that Mitsuhiko Yamashita, who headed tech development at Nissan between 2005 and 2014, will be confirmed in his new role by MMC’s board as soon as Wednesday. He will replace Ryugo Nakao, who is stepping down as head of product development after the company admitted it has doctored fuel economy ratings for at least four of its models—including two minicars it supplies to Nissan—for 25 years.

Nissan also plans to replace MMC President Tetsuro Aikawa, who will resign next month over the scandal. The Nikkei says Koji Ikeya, a managing executive officer of Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi, will become MMC’s new chief financial officer.