Japanese auto-giant Honda's Indian wing HCIL has appointed Mr. Katsushi Inoue as the new President & CEO of HCIL w.e.f. April 1, 2015. Whereas, Mr. Hiroyuki Shimizu shall take over new responsibilities as the new Sr. Vice President & Director, Marketing & Sales in HCIL. Honda Motor co. ltd., Managing Officer, Mr. Yoshiyuki Matsumoto, who since April 2013 has been the Representative of Development, Purchasing and Production in Asia & Oceania shall move to Japan post completion of his tenure. There shall take over new responsibilities as the Chief Operating Officer of the Automobile Operation at Honda Motor Co., Ltd. Moreover, post approval at a general meeting of shareholders of the company that is due to be held in June 2015, Mr. Yoshiyuk is likely to be hold new title as Sr. Managing Officer and Director.
Holding vast amount of experience in the automobile industry, Mr. Katsushi Inoue shall take over the current Sr. Vice President & Director, Marketing & Sales - Mr. Shigeru Yamazaki, who has been holdin the position since April 2012. Having worked with Honda ventures in different markets, across the globe including Japan, Thailand, Malaysia, UK, Poland and Germany. For over 25 years Mr Shimizu has been associated with the company wherein in his last assignment he has served as Director and Vice President in Honda Automobile (Thailand) Co., Ltd.
Mr. Hironori Kanayama shall move back to Japan post retirement after successfully completing his career with Honda. During his three years stint, Mr. Kanayama’s has been the man behind the picture who has helped HCIL witness a rapid growth in its business. It was in his tenure that Honda forayed into the diesel segment in India with the launch of its revolutionary 1.5L i-DTEC diesel engine and entered into many new segments in the market leading to increase in HCIL operating field from 10% in 2012 to the current 51%. Many successful products like Honda Amaze, Honda Mobilio and 4th Generation Honda City were launched in the Indian market during this period.
It was also during his tenure in India, that the company had started assembly operations at its Tapukara Plant in Rajasthan. This has helped the brand increase its production capacity to about 2,40,000 units/ annum between the two plants. The company has also witnessed significant expansion in its dealer network from about 135 facilities in 83 cities as on March 2012 to about 232 facilities in 152 cities as on March 2015, owing to focus on existing & newer Tier III markets.
