Mitsubishi’s Recchia Named to New Post

Wrapping up a senior management realignment that began early this year, Mitsubishi Motor Sales of America Inc. said Thursday that Richard D. Recchia will become vice chairman of the auto importer.

Pierre Gagnon, a former General Motors Corp. executive, will take over Recchia’s old job as executive vice president and chief operating officer.

Recchia, a former Chrysler Corp. executive and president of Fiat/Ferrari of North America, helped start Mitsubishi’s U.S. operation in 1981.

In his new post, Recchia will be responsible for coordinating the business activities of the Japanese car maker’s U.S. subsidiaries.

He will remain executive vice president of Mitsubishi Motors of America Inc., the company’s Southfield, Mich., liaison with its Japanese parent. He also will continue as a director of Mitsubishi Motor Sales and Mitsubishi Motor Manufacturing of America Inc., the company’s car-making operation in Normal, Ill.

Gagnon, hired by Recchia in March as senior vice president of operations for Mitsubishi Motor Sales, had been consumer marketing director at General Motors Corp.’s Saturn division.

He will be responsible for daily operations of Mitsubishi’s U.S. sales, distribution, advertising, marketing and dealership development operations.