Isuzu Motors Limited of Japan (IML) announced that Shaun Skinner, president of Isuzu Commercial Truck of America and Isuzu Commercial Truck of Canada, was appointed as an executive officer of IML.

According to a company release, the appointment marks the first time a local executive of an overseas Isuzu distributor has been named to an executive officer position in the parent company.

Skinner joined American Isuzu Motors in June 1987 and moved to ICTA in 2002. In April 2016, he was named the very first American president of Isuzu Commercial Truck of America. Three years later, Work Truck interviewed Skinner.

During the interview, when asked about the future, Skinner noted: "I would want to convey to Work Truck readers that I am very bullish on the future of medium-duty trucks, and I think those in our business and our industry should be excited for the future also. If you look at the growth of the economy, the diversity of the medium-duty truck segment, the growth in urban areas, and the effects of this ecommerce movement, the final mile, I think they will all play a huge role in the growth of the medium-duty market as we look to the future. Be ready for it."

Looking at the huge growth in the medium-duty segment since the 2019 interview, it looks like he was right.   

In making the announcement, Takashi Sadaoka, president and chief executive officer of Isuzu North America Corp., said, “This historic appointment signifies how highly thought of Shaun is and how important our business in North America is to Isuzu Motors Limited.”

Reacting to the news, Skinner said, “While of course I am honored by this appointment, I truly believe this reflects how important the North American market is to the future of IML. And I am excited by the fact that this will allow more direct input based on the unique market needs of the United States and Canada — particularly with technology moving forward so quickly today.”

Skinner will retain his current roles as president and chief operating officer of Isuzu Commercial Truck of America and president of Isuzu Commercial Truck of Canada.

The appointment is effective April 1, 2022.