Mitsubishi Motors Corp. said Tuesday it has nominated Eiji Iwakuni to its board of directors.
Iwakuni, 60, is currently chairman of Ford Japan Ltd., a unit of U.S. automaker Ford Motor Co.
He will assume the new post after his nomination is approved at a Mitsubishi Motors shareholders' meeting and its ensuing board meeting on June 25.
It is rare for Mitsubishi Motors, in which German auto giant DaimlerChrysler AG holds a major stake, to invite a senior executive from a rival carmaker.
Iwakuni moved to Ford Japan from Honda Motor Co. in 1998 and is known for his talent in sales and marketing.
By bringing in Iwakuni, Mitsubishi Motors hopes to bolster its sluggish domestic sales, company officials said.