Masahiro Takedagawa appointed President and Chief Executive Officer for Honda Canada

TORONTO, April 8 /CNW/ - Honda Canada Inc. announces the arrival in Canada of its new President and CEO, Mr. Masahiro Takedagawa. He replaces Mr. Manabu Nishimae who has assumed the position of Operating Officer for Regional Operations, Eastern Europe, the Middle & Near East, and Africa, effective April 1, 2010.

Mr. Takedagawa was most recently the President and CEO of Honda Motor India Private Limited, New Delhi, overseeing Honda's automobile, motorcycle and power equipment business in one of the fastest growing markets in the world.

"I am pleased to be in Canada where Honda has become such a well-respected brand and has built a strong relationship with so many customers," said Masahiro Takedagawa, President and CEO of Honda Canada Inc. "I am looking forward to bringing my years of experience working in numerous markets around the world, with the primary focus on ensuring the continued satisfaction of our Honda and Acura customers here in Canada."

Mr. Takedagawa started with Honda Motor Co. Ltd., Tokyo, in 1979, and has worked at Honda operations throughout the world, including the U.S., Europe and Asia.

In 2002, he became General Manager of the Global Product Planning Division with Honda's Automobile Operations at Honda Motor Co., Ltd., Tokyo, overseeing the planning and development of new products.

In 2005, Mr. Takedagawa was named President and CEO, Honda Siel Cars India Limited. He was named an Operating Officer for Honda Motor Co., Ltd., in 2006, and also became President and CEO, Honda Motor India Private Limited the same year.

Honda Canada has sold more than 3,300,000 Honda and Acura passenger cars and light-duty trucks in Canada over the past 37 years. A record high 91 per cent of the Honda and Acura vehicles sold in Canada in 2009 were produced at the company's assembly plants in North America, up nearly 3 per cent from 2008. In addition, 52 per cent of all Honda and Acura vehicles sold in Canada last year were built at the two Honda of Canada Mfg. plants in Alliston, Ontario, which has built more than 5,300,000 Honda and Acura cars and trucks since 1986.

Source;
http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/archive/April2010/08/c8640.html

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