Honda employs a matrix management structure, under which each region has built up their own production capacity and established sales, development and purchasing functions.
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For the month of July Honda-Torque News will be introduced to the 2016 Honda Accord, we anticipated greater personal connectivity, enhanced active safety features, an exterior design upgrade and more, this is “The Year of Honda”.
Hachigo, who joined Honda in 1982, pointed to his career as showing the way for a turnaround.
To meet deadlines, overtime had become the norm for some Honda engineers. However, despite the effort provided, the company’s engineers failed to develop new technologies that can compete with its rivals in the industry. Taking the reins from outgoing chief Takanobu Ito, Hachigo is credited with leading development of several sportier models in Honda’s history, including the CR-X, NSX and Prelude. (Which is not something, in later years, Honda can be widely accused of.). For the Honda fan, no worries, Honda’s not going anywhere, and frankly in North America, Honda’s largest market, sales numbers remain in positive territory as American Honda and Acura Division consistently present quality, well-priced cars and light trucks. This is the embodiment of a “challenging product” that is unique to Honda.
In contrast, Mr. Hachigo on Monday played up the importance of teamwork and communication, vowing to build an environment that adopts more ideas from people actually involved in projects. Hachigo said in the briefing that Honda does not plan to support the airbag maker. “That is where I place my priority”, Hachigo said at his first news conference since being appointment to the post on June 17.
In one such deals, the Japanese firm already has an alliance with General Motors Co, to develop hydrogen fuel-cell technology.
Commenting on the six-region specific operations set-up, Hachigo said it was possible for the company to come up with exclusive models for a specific zone due to the presence of manufacturing plant and sales unit in every region.
However, Hachigo said Honda had set aside enough to cover the cost of recalling over two million cars with potentially faulty air bag parts made by Takata.
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