Mitsi's boss calls it a day

John Leighton is retiring after 37 years with Mitsubishi. Photo / Supplied

John Leighton, Mitsubishi's managing director of 11 years, has retired. He had been with the company for 37 years.

Executive director Hiroyasu Inoue has become acting managing director until a permanent appointment is made. Leighton will continue in an advisory role until the end of the year.

His retirement comes at a difficult time for Mitsubishi whose car sales have been caught up in the decline brought on by the recession.

Mitsubishi has significant new models arriving in November that will boost its sales.

However, it has performed better in the light commercial and truck sectors, where it is one of the top three manufacturers.