Bangkok--24 Mar--Aziam Burson-Marsteller
Honda Automobile (Thailand) Co., Ltd., announced changes in the company’s senior executive positions, effective from April 1, 2014. Mr. Noriaki Abe will become President and CEO of Honda Automobile (Thailand) Co., Ltd. and Asian Honda Motor Co., Ltd., replacing Mr. Hiroshi Kobayashi, who will return to Japan to assume the position of Managing Officer, Honda Motor Co., Ltd. Mr. Abe has worked for Honda Motor since April 1986 and held the position of General Manager of Regional Operations (A&O) Overseas Operation Office No. 2 from 2011 until today.
Mr. Pitak Pruittisarikorn will become the Chief Operating Officer (COO) of Honda Automobile (Thailand) Co., Ltd. In his new role, Mr. Pitak will be in charge of the overall business operation including manufacturing, sales and marketing. This is the first time ever that Honda has named a non-Japanese top-level executive to this position and Mr. Pitak is also the first Thai person in Honda history who has been trusted to be appointed to this high-ranking executive role.
In Honda’s manufacturing operation, the new executive changes are Mr. Haruhito Murai, who will become Senior Vice President of Honda Automobile (Thailand) Co., Ltd.; and Mr. Hideaki Yamanaka, who will become Vice President of Honda Automobile (Thailand) Co., Ltd. Mr. Isao Ito will take the role of Executive Vice President of Asian Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
Mr. Hiroyuki Shimizu will be appointed to be Vice President for Sales and Marketing operations of Honda Automobile (Thailand) Co., Ltd.
Honda believes that these changes in top-level executives will develop and strengthen its business operations in Thailand. This will enable Honda to achieve its 2020 vision by delivering the highest level of customer satisfaction with speed, affordability and low emissions. Honda remains committed to creating quality products that meet all standards and growing together with Thai society as always.