Yoshitaka OKUDA: A Visionary Leader in Automotive Kaizen
Based in Tokyo, Japan, Mr Y Okuda boasts an illustrious career of over 40 years in the automotive industry, specialising in aftersales, spare parts, and service operations. Following his retirement from one of Japan’s premier automotive manufacturers, a company he dedicated himself to since 1980, he established Kaizen Express in 2019, a consulting firm dedicated to driving excellence and operational efficiency within the automotive sector.
Since founding Kaizen Express, he has demonstrated his acumen as a consultant, helping clients achieve significant improvements in revenue and profitability. His passion for nurturing talent is evident through the delivery of over 30 training sessions annually, focusing on aftersales operations and leadership development.
A Remarkable Career Journey
Okuda-san’s career encompasses extensive experience in the Middle Eastern automotive market, where he worked with around 20 importers of Japanese vehicles over a period of 17 years. His tenure as a top executive in the Regional Headquarters (RHQ) of a Japanese automotive manufacturer in Dubai culminated in his return to the Global Headquarters (GHQ) in 2006.
At the GHQ, he led initiatives to bolster the profitability and operational excellence of authorised dealerships across the Americas, Europe, Africa, the Middle East, and Asia. His three-pronged approach—focusing on Management, Marketing, and Productivity—helped transform dealership operations while cultivating local talent, known as Kaizen Experts, to sustain long-term improvements. Throughout his distinguished career, he visited over 50 countries and approximately 250 dealerships, leaving an indelible mark on the automotive landscape.
Expanding his expertise beyond automotive dealerships, he now collaborates with manufacturers of agricultural machinery and two-wheelers, exemplifying his versatility and commitment to operational excellence.
Areas of Expertise
Enhancing operations in spare parts and service at the shopfloor level through standardised tools and practices. These initiatives drive cost reduction, improve productivity, and elevate Customer Satisfaction (CS).
Designing innovative marketing strategies to boost repair orders and increase revenue per order in both mechanical service shops and bodyshops.
Leveraging the time-tested Customer Base Management theory, widely applied in Japan for over three decades, to maximise wholesale opportunities in spare parts.
Deploying cutting-edge methodologies such as “CAPDo management” and “MECE Tree (Root Cause) Analysis” to ensure high-quality business management.
Cultivating future leaders in the automotive industry by sharing his wealth of knowledge and expertise in coaching and leadership development.
Okuda-san’s unwavering dedication to excellence and his remarkable talent for inspiring and empowering teams have earned him recognition as a visionary leader in the automotive industry. Through his partnership with AUTOSHINKA, he is now shaping the future of automotive leadership in the Middle East and beyond, imparting his invaluable knowledge and igniting a new generation of leaders with the tools to achieve transformative success.