Honda Cars India Names Takashi Nakajima as New President & CEO
Takashi Nakajima, who has over 30 years of experience at Honda, will be the company's new president and CEO and will lead its expansion and innovation efforts in India.
Honda Cars India Ltd (HCIL) has announced the appointment of Takashi Nakajima as its new President and CEO. Nakajima, a seasoned professional with over 30 years of experience at Honda, joined the company in 1994. He has held key positions in various international markets, including Japan, China, Spain, the Czech Republic, and Russia. His expertise spans business planning, product planning, marketing, and sales promotion. Most recently, he served as the President of Honda Motor Russia since 2021. In this role, he oversaw Honda's automobile business in the region and managed product planning, marketing, and corporate communications for Honda's domestic market in Japan.
His appointment is crucial for Honda Cars India, which aims to solidify its presence in the Indian market further. The company has strengthened its premium brand positioning while expanding its product lineup and export capabilities. With Nakajima at the helm, HCIL continues its growth and innovation trajectory in one of the world's most competitive automotive markets.
During his tenure in India, outgoing CEO Takuya Tsumura was pivotal in strengthening Honda's brand identity and profitability. Under his leadership, HCIL introduced several premium models, including India's first mainstream hybrid model, the Honda City e: HEV, and the new global SUV, Honda Elevate. Additionally, he was instrumental in launching the third-generation Honda Amaze, which further cemented Honda's position in the Indian automobile industry. Tsumura's tenure also saw HCIL making significant strides in the export market. A notable achievement was the commencement of exports of the made-in-India Honda Elevate to Japan. This milestone demonstrated Honda India's manufacturing capabilities and reinforced the country's role as a key export hub for the company's global operations.
Another significant achievement under Tsumura's leadership was laying the foundation for the launch of Honda's first Battery Electric Vehicle (BEV) for India. As the global automotive industry shifts towards sustainable mobility, Honda's move to introduce a BEV aligns with its long-term commitment to innovation and environmental responsibility. HCIL acknowledged Tsumura's contributions, highlighting his efforts to reinforce customer-centric solutions and drive profitable growth. His strategic vision has played a crucial role in shaping Honda's presence in India, ensuring that the company remains a competitive player in the market.
With Takashi Nakajima taking over, HCIL builds on this momentum. His vast international experience in business strategy and product planning will likely be key in steering Honda's operations in India. Industry experts anticipate that under Nakajima's leadership, Honda Cars India will continue to focus on premium offerings, strengthen its market presence, and expand its export footprint further.
As the automotive landscape in India continues to develop, Nakajima addresses challenges and seizes opportunities to drive Honda's growth in the country. His appointment signifies the start of a new chapter for Honda Cars India, emphasising innovation, sustainability, and long-term strategic expansion.
