Top-level changes at Honda Cars India, Katsushi Inoue to be CEO

Honda, the Japanese auto major, on Monday announced top management changes in its Indian cars business, with Katsushi Inoue slated to be President & CEO from April as the incumbent Hironori Kanayama is due to retire and return to Japan.

"As part of the other management changes, Hiroyuki Shimizu will be the new Senior Vice President & Director, Marketing & Sales, in Honda Cars India (HCIL), the company's wholly-owned subsidiary", the company said.

"Also, Yoshiyuki Matsumoto, Managing Officer, Honda Motor, who was the representative of development, purchasing and production in Asia and Oceania since April 2013 and was stationed in India, moves to Japan after completing his tenure", HCIL said in a statement.

"He will take over as the Chief Operating Officer (COO) of the Automobile Operation at Honda Motor. He is planned to be elevated to the position of Director on the Board of Directors in Honda Motor with the title of Senior Managing Officer and Director after approval at the General Meeting of Shareholders of the company scheduled to be held in June 2015", it added.

Inoue will take over from Kanayama who has served as HCIL President & CEO for the past three years since assuming this position in April 2012.

The company said, Inoue has been associated with Honda Motor Co for over 29 years and has served as General Manager in Marketing Planning office in Japan headquarters in his last assignment.

He has worked with Honda ventures in different markets, across the globe, including Japan, Thailand, Malaysia, the UK, Poland and Germany.

Kanayama moves back to Japan as he retires after successfully completing his career in Honda.

"During the three years of Kanayama's leadership in India, HCIL witnessed rapid growth in its business. Honda Amaze, Honda Mobilio and 4th generation Honda City were launched in the Indian market during this period", the company said.

In other changes, Shimizu takes over from the current Senior Vice-President & Director, Marketing & Sales, Shigeru Yamazaki, who was at this position since April 2012.

"Shimizu has been associated with Honda Motor for over 25 years and in his last assignment, he served as Director and Vice President in Honda Automobile (Thailand) Co", the company said.

He started his career with Honda in 1990 and has experience in product planning, marketing and sales. Yamazaki goes to Japan and will be responsible for Automobile Operations Business Planning in Honda Motor.