Tokyo - Honda on Monday named an experienced, yet little known, engineer as its new chief executive, who will take over in late-June with the Japanese automaker battling the fallout from a slew of recalls that have shaken its reputation for quality.
Takahiro Hachigo, aged 55, joined Honda in 1982 and has worked across research and development, procurement and manufacturing, with spells in the United States, Britain and China, where he is currently a senior official at the R&D arm.
He will replace Takanobu Ito, who is stepping down after six years in the post that saw Honda struggle through the global financial crisis, natural disasters and the more recent damaging recalls.