Mr. Yoshihisa Maruta.

HA NOI (Biz Hub) – General Director of Toyota Motor Vietnam Yoshihisa Maruta will become the new chairman of the Vietnam Automobile Manufacturers' Association (VAMA) for the 2015-17 term.

According to a VAMA announcement on January 30, Yoshihisa Maruta will replace outgoing chairman Jesus Metelo Arias Jr.

Arias Jr., who is also General Director of Ford Vietnam and General Director of the Thaco Group's Thaco PC Bui Kim Kha, will remain with the association as its deputy chairman.

It's marked the first time that Thaco Group had undertaken a role in the VAMA's presidency and the first time a domestic automobile business had taken part in the association's management.

Previously, the roles of VAMA chairman and deputy chairman were always held by representatives of joint ventures and wholly invested businesses, such as Toyota, Ford, GM, Mercedes-Benz and Honda.

VAMA has 18 members, six of which are domestic businesses: Thaco Group, Saigon Transportation Mechanical Corporation, Vinacomin-Vinacoal, and Vinaxuki, as well as Vinamotor and Viet Nam Engine and Agricultural Machinery Corporation. - VNS