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In a critical time in the automotive industry, Honda Motor Co announced a new president and CEO. Senior Managing Director Takanobu Ito will replace current President Takeo Fukui in June.
In April, Ito will first take over as head of Honda R&D Co. Ltd, which he had formerly led from 2003-2005. According to Fukui, the decision to let Ito run both operations is an effort to “streamline decision making at a time when quick reaction to volatile markets is key to survival.”
“The next couple of years will be difficult. And in order to push through, we need speedy decision making and a compact leadership,” Fukui said at a press conference today. He will stay on as an adviser to the board.
Ito joined Honda in 1978 in R&D and one of his projects was the mid-engined Acura NSX sports car. He told reporters “Honda is at its core a fun company, where we hope customers buy cars with the same enjoyment we have in making them. I want to raise motivation so that we have fun again.”
Sources: Automotive News and Reuters
Hey, Ito-san, here’s a thought for getting Acura’s sales up, get rid of the riduculous “Power Plenum” grille. At the dealership I work at it has been among the least favorite features of the new models by clients who have bought Acuras for years. If you change it back to a nice, streamlined, center-badged, classic mesh grille design, I guarantee sales will improve.