Guyton New Mazda North American Ops President

Jason R. Sakurai
by Jason R. Sakurai

Appointed Mazda North American Operations (NAO) president and CEO, Jeff Guyton replaces Masahiro Moro effective June 24th. Recalled to Hiroshima, Moro becomes the newly-minted Chief Communications Officer.

Guyton’s oversight includes North America, Canada, Columbia, and Mexico, along with US and Mexican vehicle production.

Moro will handle public and investor relations, social responsibility, human resources, government affairs, and other functions.

“Mazda has invested in new products, manufacturing facilities, and an enhanced dealer experience,” Moro said.

“Jeff led Mazda’s growth in the US, strengthening the business. In his new roll, he will collaborate across the regions and continue to grow our brand.”

President of North American Operations since joining Mazda in 2019, Guyoton guided the company to year-over-year sales growth in 2020.

Guyton orchestrated Covid response programs, Mazda Financial Services launch, and Retail Evolution dealer program expansion. He served as Mazda Motor Europe president and CEO prior to joining Mazda NAO.

At Mazda Motor Europe, Guyton was executive officer and general manager of the cost planning division, before becoming the VP and Chief Financial Officer.

Starting his automotive career as a Ford financial analyst in Japan, he relocated to Dearborn, Michigan as finance manager.

Achieving a B.A. in chemistry and Asian studies in 1988 from Wittenberg University, Guyton received his MBA and masters degrees from the University of Michigan.

Mazda NAO, headquartered in Irvine, California, oversees Mazda sales, marketing, parts and customer service support in the United States and Mexico through 620 dealers. Mazda Motor de Mexico in Mexico City manages sales in Mexico.

[Image: Mazda]

Jason R. Sakurai
Jason R. Sakurai

With a father who owned a dealership, I literally grew up in the business. After college, I worked for GM, Nissan and Mazda, writing articles for automotive enthusiast magazines as a side gig. I discovered you could make a living selling ad space at Four Wheeler magazine, before I moved on to selling TV for the National Hot Rod Association. After that, I started Roadhouse, a marketing, advertising and PR firm dedicated to the automotive, outdoor/apparel, and entertainment industries. Through the years, I continued writing, shooting, and editing. It keep things interesting.

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  • SCE to AUX SCE to AUX on May 27, 2021

    "President of North American Operations since joining Mazda in 2019, Guyoton guided the company to year-over-year sales growth in 2020" OK, in the US Mazda sales grew by 0.19% from 2019-20, and in Canada they grew by 4.3%. I'd call that modest luck during a pandemic, not a meaningful achievement. He didn't 'guide' anything. Fact is, Mazda's sales are the most flat among any automaker going back 15+ years. He - and the entire Mazda organization - have a long history of sales malaise that requires an overhaul of product and culture in order to improve.

    • See 2 previous
    • Ol Shel Ol Shel on May 28, 2021

      There's nothing Mazda can do; they're immune to growth. They're neither Toyota nor Honda, who masterfully provide exactly what the buying public wants from Japanese cars. And forget about bringing back Zoom-Zoom. Nearly everyone with enough money to afford a new car has no interest in sporty cars.

  • 28-Cars-Later 28-Cars-Later on May 27, 2021

    This post sponsored by Mazda.

    • Bullnuke Bullnuke on May 27, 2021

      Most posts concerning Mazda on this site are sponsored by Mazda. At times the site should be renamed, "The Truth About Mazda" for all the fawning over vehicles that very few consider purchasing.

  • Badhuis Badhuis on May 27, 2021

    Are you sure this is the correct picture? This one seems to be from 1954 or so. Cannot believe they still take pictures like this now.

  • Cimarron typeR Cimarron typeR on May 28, 2021

    He's the guy who stole Pee Wee's bike!!

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