Aoyama (left) and Kaihara.
LOS ANGELES: Honda today announced that Noriya Kaihara has been appointed as president and CEO of American Honda from Oct 1 as part of the company's move towards electrification.
The veteran Honda executive takes over from Shinji Aoyama, who has been promoted to a newly created position of global Officer in Charge of Electrification.
Kaihara has spent much of his career in after-sales service in Japan and North America. He became an operating officer of Honda Motor in 2013, and a managing officer in 2018. He also has played a key role in Honda's collaboration with GM, which positions him to help lead Honda's pursuit of electrification in North America.
Honda Motor has set up an Electrification Business office under Aoyama's leadership. Aoyama began this new role on July 1, while based in North America.
Aoyama will lead the establishment and implementation of electrification strategies that would leverage on the combined strength of its motorcycle, automobile, power equipment and other businesses. Honda said it would continue to pursue regional electrification strategies while coordinating with the global operations.
Honda had recently said its new electric Prologue SUV and an accompanying Acura SUV model would arrive in 2024.
The company said it plans to stop making gasoline-powered vehicles completely by 2040.
