Nakagawa Replaces Teranishi as President of Kawasaki Motors USA

Kawasaki Heavy Industries (KHI) announced a number of executive changes including the appointment of Masafumi “Masa” Nakagawa as the new president of Kawasaki Motors Corp. U.S.A. (KMC). As of April 1, Nakagawa will replace Takeshi “Tak” Teranishi who will assume a similar role for Kawasaki Motors Japan.

Nakagawa has been with the parent company since 1977, holding several titles with KHI and its subsidiaries in Japan and Europe. In the ’90s, Nakagawa served six years in the U.S. with KMC, so he is very familiar with the market. More recently, Nakagawa worked as general manager and later executive officer of Marketing and Sales for Kawasaki’s Motorcycle & Engine division in Japan.

“Masa’s experience in all aspects of Kawasaki’s business operations will allow the company to continue its growth path and strengthen efforts to broaden our brand’s impact in the powersports arena,” says Teranishi.

The outgoing president of KMC first assumed the role in 2009, in the midst of the economic downturn. During his tenure, he oversaw the launch of several new products including the Vulcan 1700 Voyager and the Ninja 300, helping increase Kawasaki’s market share in the U.S.

[Source: Kawasaki]

By Dennis Chung