Honda Malaysia appoints Ishiyama as new CEO

Honda Malaysia Sdn Bhd managing director and chief executive officer Toichi Ishiyama

KUALA LUMPUR: Honda Malaysia Sdn Bhd has named Toichi Ishiyama as its new managing director and chief executive officer, succeeding Katsuto Hayashi.

In a statement, the Honda Motor Co subsidiary said Ishiyama, currently president and chief executive officer of Honda Atlas Cars (Pakistan) Ltd, would assume office in Malaysia on Nov 1.

The 48-year-old has a 25-year career with Honda in various roles in Japan, the United States, Thailand, China and Pakistan.

“With more than 20 years of experience in researching markets and product planning, Mr Ishiyama’s forte is an advantage towards ensuring that Honda Malaysia continues its strong momentum as the No.1 non-national vehicle brand and No.2 in overall total industry volume (TIV),” Honda Malaysia said.

Hayashi, who led Honda Malaysia for 1½ years, will be taking on a new role as general manager, overseas operation division (Americas) at Honda Motor Co Ltd in Japan.

During his tenure in Malaysia, Hayashi successfully strengthened Honda Malaysia’s position as the No.1 in non-national segment and No.2 in overall TIV.

In the process, the company also attained No.1 position in terms of market share among Honda automobile operations worldwide in some of those months.

Honda Malaysia said Honda achieved the highest local market share in history in March thus year, at 20.5%.

Honda Malaysia, which is also owned by DRB-Hicom Bhd and Oriental Holdings Bhd, recorded 100,000 sales units in the fiscal year of April 2016 to March 2017 as well celebrated its historical 600,000th production unit under Hayashi’s watch.