">Forum Views () 
">Forum Replies ()  
 
 
Read more with google mobile :
Honda president pushes founder energy, hybrids  
 
 
Yahoo!
My Yahoo!
Mail
Yahoo! Search
Search:
Sign InNew User? Sign Up
News Home -
Help
  
 
 
  
Navigation
Primary Navigation
 
Home
Singapore
Asia Pacific
World
Business
Entertainment
Sports
Technology
Top Stories
Most Popular
Secondary Navigation
 
Singapore
Asia Pacific
World
 
Search
 
 
Search:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Honda president pushes founder energy, hybrids
 
 
 
 
 
 
 By YURI KAGEYAMA,AP Business Writer AP - Tuesday, July 14
TOKYO - Honda's new president promised to draw inspiration from the legacy of the company's founder to ride out hard times while pushing an aggressive strategy built around hybrid green technology.
ADVERTISEMENT
  
  
"A company must increasingly have individual character to stand out," Takanobu Ito said Monday in his first news conference as Honda Motor Co. president. "Honda had very strong energy at its founding, and we want to use that energy for the future of Honda."
He said the automaker must pride itself on its "human" qualities, exemplified in founder Soichiro Honda, who was well-known for his exuberant love of cars and boyish bubbly personality. Honda died in 1991.
Ito said Honda, Japan's No. 2 automaker, will speed up its hybrid vehicle plans to offer a CR-Z sporty hybrid model in Japan in February 2010, and a hybrid version of the Fit subcompact before the end of 2010.
Overseas plans are in the works, but details are undecided, with the CR-Z planned for both North American and European markets, according to Ito. He declined to comment on the hybrid Fit's regional plans.
Honda faces intense competition in the hybrid market from Toyota Motor Corp., the world's biggest automaker.
Toyota's remodeled Toyota Prius has been a hit, topping sales in Japan for two months straight, surpassing Honda's hybrid offering, the Insight, which had been in top place before Prius' arrival.
Like Honda, Toyota has also called upon its founding roots to bring the rank and file together during the tough times of the global economic downturn. Akio Toyoda, the founder's grandson, became president in June.
Ito, 55, who became president after a shareholders' meeting in June, is not from the founding family, as Soichiro Honda, who established the automaker in 1948, did not believe in passing managerial power down the family.
Ito said hybrids are so crucial in the industry these days that every model, including those from other automakers, will be a hybrid over the next 20 years.
"There are some issues left to overcome on battery and motor technology, so it won't happen overnight," Ito said, sitting next to a blue Insight in a Tokyo showroom. "Our theme is hybrids."
But when asked whether he was aiming for Honda to be a bigger or a smaller company, he said he was after quickness, not scale.
"It's not about size. I want to be a speedy Honda," he said. "I want my company to be able to act decisively while being filled with a creative sensibility."
Yasuaki Iwamoto, analyst with Okasan Securities in Tokyo, said Ito can likely be counted on to tighten the links between development and production to deliver a more nimble Honda. Ito has stressed that he has been visiting rank-and-file workers and engineers in recent weeks.
Honda has fared relatively better than Toyota and has stayed in the black for the fiscal year ended March 31, partly because Honda did not have as many bigger models in its lineup, and also has a motorcycle unit, which wasn't as hard hit, especially in emerging markets.
In contrast, Toyota sunk to its worst ever loss and is expecting more red ink for the fiscal year through March 2010.
"Looking back, we can see how Toyota did not respond quickly enough and went crashing at top speed into the subprime crisis," Iwamoto said.
Hybrids shot to popularity when oil prices surged in recent years. But even after gas prices settled, environmental concerns have helped make hybrids the car of choice for many consumers.
With emissions standards getting tight around the world, including the key North American market, under President Barack Obama's green initiative, hybrid technology is increasingly being seen as critical, said Ito, who drives an Insight.
Honda has sold 38,700 Insight vehicles worldwide since it went on sale in February.
Toyota has not disclosed a global sales tally for the new Prius, but has said it has received orders topping 200,000 in Japan.
Ito, who shyly acknowledged his personality strength as a cheerful optimism, stressed that Honda must remember its founder's human traits. Honda was sensitive and considerate, noticed details others may overlook and cared about people, Ito recalled.
"Soichiro Honda was really a nice guy," he said.
 
 
 
Email Story
IM Story
Printable View
Blog This
 
 
     
Sign in to recommend this article »
0 users recommend
 
Related Articles: Business
Intel to report 2Q numbersAP - Tuesday, July 14
IMAX focused on Asia as part of global expansionAP - Tuesday, July 14
RHJ says Opel talks at advanced stageAP - Tuesday, July 14
Oil up near $60 on weaker dollar, Nigeria attackAP - Tuesday, July 14
CIT Group in talks with regulators, shares tumbleAP - 2 hours 13 minutes ago
 
 
 
 
 
 Enlarge Photo
 
Honda Mortor Co.'s new President Takanobu Ito poses for photos during a press conference at the Honda's headquarters in Tokyo, Japan, Monday, July 13, 2009. Ito is promising to call upon the creative energies of the company founder to ride out hard times. And he's pushing an aggressive strategy built around hybrid green technology. (AP Photo/Junji Kurokawa)
 
 
 
Most Popular – Business
 
 
 
 
 
 Viewed
 
 
 
 
Worst yet to come: White House economic advisor
 
 
Miniskirts, cleavage upset male SKoreans: survey
 
 
Pushy French are world's worst tourists: study
 
 
Jackson 'best father' ever, daughter tells the world
 
 
London's Big Ben clocks up 150 years
 
 
View Complete List »
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Search:
Home
Singapore
Asia Pacific
World
Business
Entertainment
Sports
Technology
Top Stories
Most Popular
Copyright © 2009 Yahoo! Southeast Asia Pte Ltd. (Co. Reg. No. 199700735D). All Rights Reserved.
Privacy Policy 
- Terms of Service 
- Community 
- Intellectual Property Rights Policy 
- Help
        
    
   
 
Other News on Monday, 13 July 2009 Palestinians reject any Israel-U.S. settlement deal  
Ten more hurt in Pamplona bull run  
Two U.S. soldiers killed, Afghan war heats up
| International
|  
NASA: No lightning damage to shuttle, fueling begins  
Israeli spy memorial hides more than it reveals  
US, Switzerland urge delay to UBS tax secrecy trial  
Honduras lifts post-coup curfew, Zelaya vows return
| International
|  
Two US soldiers killed in Afghanistan  
Four NATO soldiers killed in Afghanistan violence  
Up to 200 rebels dead in Afghan offensive: govt  
Two injured in Pamplona bull run, day after death
| International
|  
Ahmadinejad blames Germany for courtroom killing
| International
|  
Israel phone firm's West Bank wall gag fails to amuse
| International
|  
Endeavour fueled for launch after lightning delay  
Palin says she's not leaving politics  
Obama phones Sotomayor on eve of hearings  
Sotomayor faces friendly jury as hearings begin  
Obama says Taliban pushed back in Afghanistan  
Democrats slam Cheney bid to hide CIA program  
Sessions: Sotomayor must show she can be neutral  
Azeri blogger detained, oil major presses case
| Technology
|  
Texting Teen Falls Down NYC Manhole; Will Sue City?  
Strong earthquake shakes Peru  
Israel phone firm's West Bank wall gag fails to amuse
| Technology
|  
Two People Questioned In Florida Murder Of Couple Of 12 Adoptive Children  
Endeavor (STS-127) Set For Liftoff Sunday Night For 16-Day Mission To ISS  
Report: Cheney Told CIA To Stay Quiet About Secret Program  
Boston May Close Its Zoos; Euthanize Animals  
U.S. Military Mulls Total Tobacco Ban  
Space Shuttle Endeavour Prepares For Sunday Evening Launch  
Iran Detains Iranian-American Without Disclosing Charges  
Smokey Cabin Triggers Evacuation Of British Airways Flight  
Obama Starts Sub-Saharan African Tour With Historic Visit To Ghana  
'Bruno' sashays to box-office fame with $30.4M  
Bruno fashions top spot at U.S. box office
| Entertainment
|  
Ambushes kill 2 near Freeport's Indonesian mine  
North Korea leader Kim has life-threatening cancer: TV
| International
|  
US-TECH Summary  
EU nations, Turkey to sign key gas pipeline deal  
British PM under pressure over Afghanistan deaths  
Endeavour to launch Monday after storm halts launch  
Swedish Press To Boycott Britney Spears Show  
Japan PM seeks August 30 poll despite grim prospects
| International
|  
Nigerian militants claim attack on Lagos oil jetty  
Four killed in attacks on Iraq churches  
Six in 10 companies plan to skip Windows 7: survey  
Al-Qaeda group releases Swiss hostage in Mali  
Rio arrests reflect Beijing financial jitters
| International
|  
Hindus Urge Angelina Jolie To Take Up Cause Of Roma People  
Storm delays Endeavour launch for 24 hours: NASA  
LG launches app store, initial focus on Asia  
Honduras leader may allow Zelaya amnesty, curfew off
| International
|  
Car bomb explodes outside Iraqi church, kills 4  
Rights group concerned about fate of Iran missing  
Jay-Z Dethrones 50 Cent In Forbes' 2008 Hip-Hop Cash Kings List  
Israel phone firm's West Bank wall gag fails to amuse  
Geithner committed to strong dollar as reserve currency  
Israel phone firm's West Bank wall gag fails to amuse  
China says embassy protests show riots organized
| International
|  
Lil Wayne Sued For Sleeping During Concert  
"So You Think You Can Dance" Michael Jackson Tribute Nixed  
Bombs explode outside Baghdad churches, four dead  
Pakistan's 2 million displaced start returning home
| International
|  
Black Eyed Peas Responds To Plagiarism Allegation  
Iran defeated candidate warns of system collapse
| International
|  
Darfur peacekeepers still waiting for helicopters  
Husband In The Pendragons Arrested For Assaulting Wife  
Howard K Stern Wins One Round In Libel Case  
French row over burqa ban unveils contradictions
| International
|  
Iraq lashed by sandstorms and battling drought  
Kate Beckinsale Awarded Libel Damages Over False "Barbarella" Role Article  
Liberia's Taylor to take stand in war crimes case
| International
|  
Life Magazine To Release Michael Jackson Special Edition  
LG launches app store, initial focus on Asia  
Reports: Japan's leader to call national elections  
3rd body recovered after ambushes at Freeport mine  
AP NewsAlert  
Suspected rebels kill 2 Indian troops  
Japan ends ban on child organ donations  
China unveils regulations to curb corruption  
Six in 10 companies plan to skip Windows 7: survey
| Technology
|  
LG launches app store, initial focus on Asia
| Technology
|  
Japan PM to call August 30 election: reports  
2 held on murder charges in Fla. couple's slaying  
Web site recreates Apollo 11 mission in real time  
6 killed in New Delhi metro bridge collapse  
Freeport ambushes kill 2; police step up manhunt  
SKorea lowers cyberattack alert  
Battle for Supreme Court justice to begin in Congress  
CIA chief nixed plan to kill Al-Qaeda targets: report  
Boat runs aground off Liberty Island; 8 rescued  
Jill Biden to have orthopedic surgery  
Democrats accuse Cheney of bid to hide CIA program  
Jackson: Cemetery investigation should expand  
Washington: the hottest living movie studios  
NBC hopes viewers appreciate action news series  
Madame Carven, petite women's designer, turns 100  
US-ENTERTAINMENT Summary  
South Korea's spy agency lowers cyberattack alert  
A&E's Jackson family reality show a thriller  
Seoul shares extend losses, down 2.5 pct  
Son takes over gospel singer Wright's NYC church  
China Eastern Airlines to acquire local rival  
Maura Tierney illness delays "Parenthood"  
Pakistani c.bank sells 11 bln rupees of T-bills  
Fad or crisis? Japan's 'marriage hunting' craze  
A&E's Jackson family reality show a thriller
| Entertainment
|  
Children risk their lives in Gaza's blockade-busting tunnels  
South Korea: Conclusion of FTA with EU near  
Maura Tierney illness delays Parenthood
| Entertainment
|  
Washington: the hottest living movie studios  
SKorea's June trade surplus was a record: govt  
Taiwan dollar at one-month low on fund outflows  
"Bruno" fashions top spot at U.S. box office  
Update: NASA Calls Off Shuttle Launch Amid Bad Weather  
Japan's top 2 beverage makers considering merger  
NZ farmer confidence slides in Q2  
South Korea urges banks to support economic growth  
Texting Teen Falls Down NYC Manhole; Will Sue City?  
Japanese Scientists Study How A Turtle's Shell Develops  
Desert Plant Survives By Watering Itself  
Camel Climbs Mount Washington  
Jennifer Aniston's Dog Doesn't Like When She Makes New Friends  
Final Candidates For New 7 Wonders Of Nature To Be Announced On July 21  
No Canals, But Probe Finds Snow On Mars Arctic Region  
Man Says Girlfriend Poked Him With Sex Toy  
Australia Town Bans Bottled Water, Prefers Reusable Bottles  
Workers At Historic Cemetery Charged With Unearthing Bodies, Selling Graves  
Britain revokes five Israeli arms export licences  
Head of Russian diamond giant forced to quit: report  
Judge To Dismiss Drug Charges Once Ryan ONeal Completes Program  
Pakistan's displaced head home, blast rocks village
| International
|  
Obama orders probe of killings in Afghanistan  
Bangladesh crackdown on 'kings of genies'  
Comic Artie Lange Busted For DUI After Minor Road Accident  
Ahmadinejad blames Germany for courtroom murder  
Man Dies From Fall Accident At Serbia's Annual Music Festival  
Germany charges accused Nazi guard Demjanjuk
| International
|  
Israeli minister dismisses Solana's peace ideas
| International
|  
Afghan leader Karzai campaigns in Taliban heartland
| International
|  
U.S. tells Uzbekistan it wants better ties
| International
|  
Beijing warns lawyers off Xinjiang riot cases  
Report: CIA had plan to kill al-Qaida  
Chinese police shoot dead two Uighurs in Urumqi  
Nazi camp guard Demjanjuk to be tried in Germany  
Indonesians protest at Chinese embassy  
Police: 7 women die in Indonesian restaurant fire  
Fla. judge to consider delay in UBS secrecy case  
South Korea lowers cyberattack alert  
Iowa's biggest city may legalize late-night dance  
Death toll at 3 in ambushes near mine in Indonesia  
Microsoft takes on Google with free Office programs
| Technology
|  
White House: Health, green jobs growing quickly  
Thailand reports 3 more swine flu deaths  
Obama to address urban policy meeting  
Chinese, SKorean envoys meet for NKorea talks  
Chicken farmers feel threatened by Oklahoma suit  
China's Uighurs hope to gain from world spotlight  
NASA to make 5th attempt to launch Endeavour  
Ford, Mazda open compact car plant in Thailand  
Honda president pushes founder energy, hybrids  
Seoul shares post biggest daily pct loss in 4 mths  
S.Korea won posts biggest daily pct loss since Mar  
China Eastern unveils merger plan  
China construction giant set for massive IPO  
Meralco says planning broadband via power lines  
Freeport mine ambushes kill 3 in Indonesia  
India's next outsourcing boom: comedy  
Harry Potter director says finale to be best yet
| Entertainment
|  
It's a man's, man's world for Aussie music fans  
Bruno fashions top spot at U.S. box office
| Entertainment
|  
Marriage in UAE: key to national identity  
Idol host Ryan Seacrest signs $45 million deal
| Entertainment
|  
Youths test religious rights in Macedonia  
Screens replace greens for South Korean golfers  
Australia's 'Big Things' go from kitsch to art  
Austrians say outrageous Bruno ist pretty funny
| Entertainment
|  
Greece at new risk of being pushed off euro  
Bodies of missing Tenn. mom, Jo Ann Bain, and daughter found  
Female Breasts Are Bigger Than Ever  
AMD Trinity Accelerated Processing Units Now in Volume Production  
The Avengers (2012 film), made the second biggest opening- and single-day gross of all-time  
AMD to Start Production of piledriver  
Ivy Bridge Quad-Core, Four-Thread Desktop CPUs  
Islamists Protest Lady Gaga's Concert in Indonesia  
Japan Successfully Broadcasts an 8K Signal Over the Air  
ECB boosts loans to 1 trillion Euro to stop credit crunch  
Egypt : Mohammed Morsi won with 52 percent  
What do you call 100,000 Frenchmen with their hands up  
AMD Launches AMD Embedded R-Series APU Platform  
Fed Should not Ignore Emerging Market Crisis  
Fed casts shadow over India, emerging markets  
Why are Chinese tourists so rude? A few insights