Mr Saruwatari makes the move after almost five years as programme manager at Mazda Motor Corporation’s Product Division, where he oversaw the Mazda3 programme, including the recently launched all-new generation of the company’s biggest selling model. 

He joined Mazda back in 1987 and has held a variety of posts at the company since, mainly in powertrain development, engineering and testing. Among other things, he played a key role over the years in advancing Mazda’s renowned engine technology. 

‘As a long-time powertrain professional, Kenichiro Saruwatari has intimate knowledge of what is the heart and soul of Mazda’s unconventional cars — and indeed the Mazda brand,’ said Jeff Guyton, CEO & president Mazda Motor Europe. ‘So he is definitely the right man to lead our European R&D Centre into the future and will be a major asset for our development activities.’

Saruwatari takes over from Ichiro Hirose, who will lead Mazda’s Powertrain Development Division as General Manager at Mazda Motor Corporation in Hiroshima, Japan.