Hyundai Motor North America promoted Mark Kato to vice president of dealer network development, effective Oct.12.

Kato has held various leadership positions in the company since 2011, most recently as executive director of dealer development. In that position, Hyundai said he “led efforts to support dealer growth, improve network performance and help retailers adapt to changing business needs across both the Hyundai and Genesis organizations.”

Prior to Hyundai, Kato spent over two decades with original equipment manufacturers “developing expertise in regional dealer operations, network planning and performance management.”

As the VP of dealer network development, he will “lead the teams responsible for expanding, strengthening and supporting” both Hyundai and Genesis dealer networks.

In another automaker executive move, Mazda North American Operations named Satoshi Aratake vice president of quality assurance, a “newly defined” division meant to shape “quality strategy across the full vehicle lifecycle.”

Aratake previously served as general manager of a “specialized, high-profile sector” of the quality division at Mazda's headquarters in Hiroshima, Japan.

"Satoshi brings a strong track record of quality management to MNAO, and I’m pleased to welcome him to our executive team," said MNAO President and CEO Tom Donnelly.

 "Defining QA as its own division, under Satoshi’s leadership, will advance our efforts across not only vehicle quality, but R&D and design, allowing MNAO to accelerate improvements and innovations with a committed focus."

Satoshi's appointment was effective immediately.