Kenichi Ayukawa was appointed as the new Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of country’s largest carmaker Maruti Suzuki India. He will take over the charge from April 1, 2013 succeeding Shinzo Nakanishi.

Ayukawa’s appointment was approved by Maruti Suzuki Board meeting, which was also attended by Suzuki Motor Corporation Chairman Osamu Suzuki. Suzuki owns 54.4% stake in Maruti.

The new MD Ayukawa was associated with European operations of Suzuki Motor Corporation.

The outgoing MD Nakanishi was associated with Maruti since 1982. He had also served as Chairman of the company when Jagdish Khattar was its MD. He had succeeded Khattar in December 2007.