FRANKLIN, Tenn., May 19, 2025 – Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) is proud to count one of its own among the 2025 Automotive News "100 Leading Women in the North American Auto Industry". The prestigious award was bestowed upon Kim Ito, who in nine years with MMNA marketing, has risen to become Chief Marketing Officer on the strength of multiple innovative and tech-forward initiatives and creative campaigns. Her credits include the first ever launch of a vehicle on Amazon Live (Outlander, 2022), the industry's first real-time cinematic vehicle configurator (wth ZeroLight, 2023), and MMNA's 24-hour digital showroom that seamlessly connects the customer shopping experience from Tier 1 to Tier 3 websites and into the dealership (ClickShop 2.0, 2024).

Mitsubishi Motors CMO Kim Ito

 

100 Leading Women in the North American Auto Industry recognizes female leaders in the automotive field who have significant influence and are major decision-makers within their organization. Automotive News has published the list of the industry's top female executives every five years since 2000. The sixth list of 100 Leading Women is featured in the May 19 issue, and the honorees will be celebrated at a gala in Dearborn, Mich. on May 20.

"Women represent half of MMNA's executive leadership team, and we believe that is one of our greatest organizational strengths," said Mark Chaffin, MMNA CEO. "Kim has earned her place among the very best in our industry. She drives innovation daily and fulfills one of the key pillars of our Momentum 2030 business plan by setting the global standard for digital marketing excellence for Mitsubish Motors. We celebrate her achievements and eagerly anticipate her future contributions to our company. She and her team will have plenty of opportunities for further innovation as we launch one all-new or significantly refreshed vehicle every year between 2026 and 2030."

Ito joined MMNA in 2016, rising first to director then vice president then CMO. Her areas of responsibility have covered all marketing and advertising activities and strategies for the brand, including media, marketing communications, interactive including digital retailing, lifecycle marketing management, customer experience, retail performance, and retail marketing programs with the company's dealer partners.

"Being included in Automotive News' 100 Leading Women is a great honor, and I'm thrilled to be among so many accomplished professionals," said Ito. "I have to thank my team and MMNA leadership for all of their support and collaboration along the way, but I owe my most heartfelt gratitude to my family. Their encouragement and love allows me to be my best self, and I would not be here without my amazing husband and two kids. My hat is off to all of the impressive women on this distinguished list, but none more so than to the mothers who, like me, juggle the competing priorities of work and family every day in order to achieve so much."

Prior to MMNA, Ito worked with QANTAS as an integrated marketing manager from 2011through 2015, where she led the development and production of national brand and retail communications, and was responsible for the media and advertising strategy in North, Central and South America.

She holds a master's degree in English Literature from California State University, Los Angeles and a bachelor's degree in English Literature from the University of California, Riverside. Ito currently works from MMNA's U.S. headquarters offices in Franklin, Tenn.

Since 1925, Automotive News has been the primary source for news happening among automotive retailers, suppliers and manufacturers. Distinct from other publications in the field, Automotive News remains a fully subscriber-paid publication, a testament to the value it delivers to the reader. The award-winning weekly print edition, robust website, email newsletters, podcast and video broadcasts are backed by a global team of more than 65 editors and reporters.

For more information on the full lineup of Mitsubishi vehicles, visit MitsubishiCars.com.

ABOUT MITSUBISHI MOTORS NORTH AMERICA, INC.
Through a network of approximately 330 dealer partners across the United States, Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) is responsible for the sales, marketing, and customer service of Mitsubishi Motors vehicles in the U.S. MMNA's recently announced five-year business plan – "Momentum 2030" – outlines the brand's mid-term intentions for product and business transformation. MMNA will expand and refresh its vehicle lineup in the U.S. with one new or completely refreshed model to debut each year between now and 2030. Powered by a selection of advanced-technology internal combustion engines, hybrids, plug-in hybrids, and battery electrics, the product line will nearly double from today's four vehicles. Momentum 2030 also includes a vision for a modernized retail sales model and plans for network expansion and sales growth.

MMNA has its headquarters in Franklin, Tennessee, as well as corporate operations in California, Georgia, Michigan, and New Jersey.

For more information on MMNA, visit media.mitsubishicars.com.

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