Isuzu Commercial Truck of America, Inc., has promoted Shaun Skinner to president from his role of executive vice president and general manager, the company has announced.

Skinner replaces Hisao Sasaki, who will return to parent firm Isuzu Motors Limited in Japan. Skinner steps into his new role on April 1.

"After a 29-year career with Isuzu and more than eight years as executive vice president and general manager of Isuzu Commercial Truck of America (ICTA), Skinner is being promoted to drive our relationship with our dealers and our customers even closer as we look to become more market- and customer-focused in the future,” said Shigeji Sugimoto, chairman of Isuzu Commercial Truck of America.

Skinner joined American Isuzu Motors Inc. in June 1987, and moved to the company’s commercial vehicle division in 2002. He was named ICTA’s executive vice president and general manager in January 2008. Skinner already serves as president of Isuzu Commercial Truck of Canada.

Last year, Isuzu dealers retailed 20,725 Isuzu-brand trucks to customers — a record for the company in the North American market.

Earlier this month, Skinner unveiled the 2018 Isuzu FTR, its all-new entry in the Class 6 medium-duty truck segment, which is slated to go into production in the U.S. in the middle of 2017.