The new CEO of Honda is now on the move in changing the company's aim and concept in selling their automobiles, telling his subordinates to be more focused on technology.
Takahiro Hachigo, the 56-year-old CEO stated during his first news conference that he wants to assure that all the staff and members will have adequate time in developing and innovating strong products for the future.
At present, Honda is struggling with their sales growth, overworked engineers and quality lapses, which made the company only the 3rd car maker in Japan behind Toyota Motor Co. and Nissan Motor Corp.
The CEO also detailed that he dreams to create new products that will satisfy the costumers' need. He wants the multinational car company to be named as one of the most innovative car seller.
"I want to prioritize the development of Honda-like products rather than expanding sales volume," the new CEO stated.
"The team that's involved in on-the-ground development needs to spend time to develop better products, and I want to support them by making sure that time is secured," he added.
During his speech, Hachigo said he wants to create a new Honda under new themes such as the advancement of the six-region global operation structure and continuous development of challenging products unique to Honda and delivering them to our customers around the world.
The CEO then challenges his employees that the true strength of the company is when each members share one goal, accept challenges and attain high targets. He also added that Honda's challenges have always been generated on the spot.
On the other hand, Satoshi Nagashima, an automotive strategy consultant and co-managing partner at Roland Berger Strategy Consultants said that what really Honda needs to do "is to improve efficiency and productivity in vehicle development". If this issue is addressed, the engineers will have more time to do their work.
For now, Hachigo is firm in planning to make the company more different and unique from others and that includes developing electric cars and hydrogen fuel cells for vehicles.
