CYPRESS, CALIFORNIA -- TOYO TIRE & RUBBER CO., LTD. (Toyo Tires) of Osaka, Japan, announces the appointment of Tatsuo Mitsuhata as president and CEO of Toyo Tire U.S.A. Corp. (TTC) beginning January 1, 2012. Currently serving as general manager of sales strategy in the Toyo Tire Overseas Sales Division, Mitsuhata previously worked at TTC from 1994 to 1998 as the company’s coordination manager.

A 23-year veteran of Toyo Tires, Mitsuhata began working at TOYO TIRE & RUBBER CO., LTD. in 1988 and quickly rose through the ranks. He oversaw Middle East sales operations from offices in Athens, Greece; and then oversaw all sales within the Middle East, Africa, South East Asia and China from Toyo Tires corporate in Japan.

His experience also includes leadership roles in the company’s European subsidiaries. From 2008-2011, Mitsuhata held the position of vice-president of Toyo Tire Europe GmbH, where he oversaw all sales operations in the UK, Belgium, the Netherlands, Luxembourg and Italy. In addition, he was acting president for the company’s Germany/Austria Division.

“Tatsuo Mitsuhata is an experienced veteran of Toyo Tires worldwide, with prior service in the U.S.,” said Takashi Shimizu, president and CEO, Toyo Tire Holdings of Americas Inc. “We look forward to bringing his leadership and extensive knowledge to Toyo Tire U.S.A. Corp. as the Toyo Tires brand continues to expand in this country.”

Current president and CEO, Yashushi Takagi, has held the position at TTC since January 2009. He will return to Japan as general manager of corporate planning for Toyo Tires in January.

To learn more about the Toyo Tires brand, log onto www.toyotires.com. Toyo Tires manufactures and distributes a complete line of premium replacement tires for high performance cars, luxury vehicles, light trucks and SUVs as well as tires for commercial trucks. Connect with the community at www.facebook.com/toyotires and www.twitter.com/toyotires.