Mitsubishi Motors’ Kim Ito Named One of Automotive News’ “100 Leading Women” for 2025

Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) is proud to celebrate Kim Ito, Chief Marketing Officer, as one of Automotive News’ “100 Leading Women in the North American Auto Industry” for 2025. The prestigious honor recognizes top female leaders who are driving meaningful change and making major decisions in the automotive sector.

In her nine years with MMNA, Ito has built an impressive legacy of innovation and forward-thinking marketing. Her work includes:

• The first-ever vehicle launch on Amazon Live with the 2022 Outlander
• A real-time cinematic vehicle configurator powered by ZeroLight (2023)
• MMNA’s 24-hour digital showroom, ClickShop 2.0, connecting customers seamlessly from brand site to dealership (2024)

Ito’s inclusion on the 2025 list underscores both her personal achievements and Mitsubishi Motors’ broader commitment to elevating women in leadership. Today, women make up half of MMNA’s executive team, a fact CEO Mark Chaffin calls “one of our greatest organizational strengths.”

“Kim has earned her place among the best in our industry. She is a constant driver of innovation and a key force behind our Momentum 2030 business plan,” said Chaffin. “We look forward to the ideas and impact she’ll bring as we roll out one new or refreshed vehicle every year through 2030.”

Since joining MMNA in 2016, Ito has risen through the ranks, from Director to VP to CMO, overseeing all marketing and advertising strategies across media, digital retail, customer experience, and dealer partnerships.

“This recognition is an incredible honor,” said Ito. “I’m so proud to be listed alongside such accomplished women. But most of all, I’m grateful to my family—especially my husband and two kids—whose love and support empower me to bring my best self to everything I do.”

Before MMNA, Ito served as Integrated Marketing Manager at QANTAS, overseeing national campaigns and advertising strategy across the Americas. She holds both bachelor’s and master’s degrees in English Literature from the University of California, Riverside and California State University, Los Angeles.

Since 1925, Automotive News has been the leading source of industry insight for retailers, suppliers, and manufacturers alike, and its “100 Leading Women” list has celebrated outstanding female leadership every five years since 2000.

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