Mitsubishi mourns former chairman

Mitsubishi Motors’ former chairman Osamu Masuko has died from heart failure. He was 71.

Masuko’s death on August 27 came just weeks after he resigned as chairman citing health reasons. 

He became the carmaker’s president in 2005 and oversaw the creation of the partnership between Mitsubishi and Nissan.

Mitsubishi says in a statement that Masuko, pictured, also led the development of environment-friendly vehicles including the world’s first mass-produced electric vehicle (EV), i-MiEV, as well as the world's first SUV plug-in hybrid EV, the Outlander PHEV.

“In addition, he built solid relationships with the management of partners, the alliance companies and the Mitsubishi Group through good communications by leveraging his personality and extensive connections,” the company adds.

Masuko’s death comes as the alliance between Mitsubishi, Nissan and French carmaker Renault struggles to regain profitability in the aftermath of the ouster of former alliance chairman Carlos Ghosn, reports Reuters.

Masuko denounced his ties with Ghosn following the latter’s 2018 arrest in Japan over suspected financial misconduct.