Incoming new president for Honda Canada Inc

Honda Canada Inc will have a new President and Director beginning April 1.

Masahiro Takedagawa, president of Honda Siel Cars India since 2005, will take over from Manabu Nishimae, who will have served less than two years when the changeover takes effect.

"During the five years of Takedagawa's leadership, HSCI witnessed rapid expansion from a production capacity of 30,000 units per annum in year 2005 to 100,000 units per annum in 2008 and commensurate increase in dealership network from 52 facilities in 41 cities (March 2005) to the current 117 facilities in 70 cities," according to a published report out of India. "The sales turnover of the company has more than doubled during his tenure."

That's the kind of touch Honda is counting on Mr. Takedagawa to bring to its Canadian operations now in the midst of a near two-year period marked by declining vehicle sales, production cuts, shift reductions, contract worker terminations, cuts to employee perks and wage and salary freezes.

Source;
http://www.madhunt.com/honda-can-inc-prz-20100224.htm

Honda CEO says the decision to quit Formula 1 was absolutely necessary

Honda CEO Takanobu Ito says he has no regrets withdrawing from Formula One racing last year, saying that it was necessary for the company’s survival. Honda’s former team, now named Brawn GP, had won both the drivers’ and constructors’ championships this season.

When asked by reporters whether he had misgivings for pulling out of the sport, he said that after its withdrawal, it saw its team doing “extremely well” because of the efforts it put into the team. Ito took over Honda in June from his predecessor, Takeo Fakui, who had made the decision to quit F1. Ito said that he believes it was the correct decision. Ito explained that the company’s love for F1 racing had never waned but that its first priority was the company in light of the global recession that had deteriorated its management environment. He also cited the need to comply with environmental requirements, which meant that it had to develop new technologies.

Source;
http://www.4wheelsnews.com/honda-ceo-says-the-decision-to-quit-formula-1-was-absolutely-necessary/

Takanobu Ito, ex-chief designer for the NSX, is the new Honda CEO

Believed to bring the original Honda spirit back, Takanobu Ito was named the new company CEO earlier this week. Ito was the former COO of Automobile Operations and had also served as chief designer for the original all-aluminum chassis of the Honda NSX. He takes on the role that Takeo Fukui vacates. Ito’s role as CEO will have him managing both the core of Honda as well as Honda R&D.

Source;
http://www.4wheelsnews.com/takanobu-ito-ex-chief-designer-for-the-nsx-is-the-new-honda-ceo/