Mazda Announces Major Organizational and Executive Restructuring Effective April 1, 2026
Mazda Motor Corporation will reorganize its R&D, corporate strategy, and value chain operations, and restructure its executive tier into a two-level system, effective April 1, 2026.
April 1, 2026
8 → 4
33 (unchanged)
What Happened
Mazda Motor Corporation announced organizational and personnel changes effective April 1, 2026. The changes affect the Corporate Strategy, Corporate Planning & Development, R&D, and Value Chain domains. The Business Innovation Office will be integrated into the Corporate Strategy Division, and the Cost Planning Innovation Office will be elevated to a division-level organization.
The executive structure will be reformed into two tiers: Corporate Leadership Executive Officers, who serve as CXOs and support the president, and Executive Officers (including Senior Executive Officers), who oversee execution closer to the frontlines. Over 20 executives received new assignments, and the new position of Senior Division Manager was introduced.
Business Innovation Office established
Reorganization takes effect
- Corporate Strategy Domain: Business Innovation Office integrated into Corporate Strategy Division and renamed Business Innovation Department.
- Corporate Planning & Development Domain: Cost Planning Innovation Office reclassified from department to division level.
- R&D Domain: Divisions reduced from 8 to 4, with the creation of the KURUMA Development Division overseeing the entire development process.
- Value Chain Domain: New Value Chain Acceleration Office established as a division.
8 → 4divisions
The number of R&D divisions is halved while the number of departments remains at 33.
Why this matters
The restructuring aims to accelerate innovation, strengthen cost competitiveness, and adapt to the rapidly changing automotive landscape, positioning Mazda for long-term growth.
Terms in This Story
- e-MAZDA
- Mazda's electrification business division, focusing on battery-electric vehicles and related technologies.
- KURUMA
- Japanese word for 'car'; used as the name of Mazda's new integrated development division.
- Value Chain
- The full range of activities from production to after-sales service that add value to a product.
- CXO
- Chief X Officer, a C-level executive title for leaders of specific functional domains (e.g., CTO, CFO).
Summarised from the linked release; details can be imperfect — always verify against the original source.