Masashi Otsuka

Masashi Otsuka is senior vice president, Alabama Business Unit for Mazda North American Operations (MNAO). In his current role, Otsuka leads the new operations in Alabama where Mazda will manufacture its brand-new crossover SUV exclusive to the North American market by working with suppliers, handling logistics for the plant and managing quality assurance.

In 1989, Otsuka joined Mazda Corporation as an engineer for interior and restraint. Prior to being promoted to his current role, Otsuka served as the vice president of R&D and Design for MNAO. He oversaw management of the entire field of research and development, and design. Otsuka has held various positions within the company, including engineering, product planning and program management. As a program manager, Otsuka managed entire programs for CX-5, CX-7, and CX-9. He also has planned all sixth-generation products and established the current product lineup.

Otsuka graduated from Toyohashi University of Technology in Japan with a master’s degree in engineering. He currently resides in Southern California.