Below is the summary of Honda Motor Co., Ltd. President & CEO Takahiro Hachigo's speech which he gave in a press
conference on February 24 (2016) to explain his future vision and direction for the
company.
【Introduction】
When I assumed the presidency, I introduced two themes to be pursued for the creation of a new Honda.
•Advancement of the six-region global operation structure
•Development of challenging products unique to Honda
•Advancement of the six-region global operation structure
•Development of challenging products unique to Honda
The Honda Walking Assist Device, which we began lease sales in Japan,
is one example of “challenging products unique to Honda.” We are now
preparing to evolve this business in Japan as well as in countries
outside of Japan.
For the joy of our customers around the world, Honda wants to
continue delivering attractive products unique to Honda through our
broad range of businesses including motorcycle, automobile and power
products businesses as well as HondaJet and Honda Walking Assist Device
business.
At the same time, we recognize a need for a fundamental
transformation of business operations especially with our automobile
business in order to further strengthen our operational structures. To
this end, we began taking some initiatives.
【Direction for our automobile business under the six-region global operation structure】
1. Regional models and global models
Under our six-region global operation structure, some regional models
such as the Pilot in North America and the Brio Series in Asia matured
into key products that support automobile business of each respective
region.
While at the same time, our global models such as Fit, Civic, Accord, HR-V and CR-V are the mainstream products for Honda’s automobile business.
Civic:
The all-new Civic, which underwent a full model change in North America in November 2015, became the first Honda global model to adopt a new platform and a “downsized” turbo engine [achieving the same level of driving and environmental performance with a smaller displacement engine]. This all-new Civic already is scheduled to be launched in China and other Asian countries and we will consider introduction to the Japanese market.
CR-V and Accord:
The next generation CR-V and Accord also will adopt the new platform and a downsized turbo engine and be introduced as products with further refined design and driving performance.
Through the adoption of the new platform and powertrain, we will renew our global models such as Civic, CR-V and Accord to make them even more attractive products that will support our automobile business.
While at the same time, our global models such as Fit, Civic, Accord, HR-V and CR-V are the mainstream products for Honda’s automobile business.
Civic:
The all-new Civic, which underwent a full model change in North America in November 2015, became the first Honda global model to adopt a new platform and a “downsized” turbo engine [achieving the same level of driving and environmental performance with a smaller displacement engine]. This all-new Civic already is scheduled to be launched in China and other Asian countries and we will consider introduction to the Japanese market.
CR-V and Accord:
The next generation CR-V and Accord also will adopt the new platform and a downsized turbo engine and be introduced as products with further refined design and driving performance.
Through the adoption of the new platform and powertrain, we will renew our global models such as Civic, CR-V and Accord to make them even more attractive products that will support our automobile business.
2. Model development and organizational changes
Processes that had grown increasingly complex raised some issues such
as an increase in man-hours and workload at the spot of automobile
development and production. In order to overcome the current situation
and further advance our six-region structure of automobile business, we
will first change our organization as of April 1, 2016.
We will establish a structure where development teams at the spot can concentrate on creating automobiles and focus on the development of one whole vehicle as one product under a consistent concept. To be more precise, we will add some new positions, including new positions in charge of the area of product development, a new position in charge of conducting evaluations from the standpoint of the entire vehicle consistently for all models and new positions in charge of supervising design creation of Honda and Acura models, respectively, on a global basis. Through these changes, we will realize a development structure that can further highlight the unique characteristics of Honda.
The roles and responsibilities of each area such as production, purchasing, quality, service and sales will be further clarified. At the same time, we will establish a new structure which enables us to make simple and speedy decisions.
We will establish a structure where development teams at the spot can concentrate on creating automobiles and focus on the development of one whole vehicle as one product under a consistent concept. To be more precise, we will add some new positions, including new positions in charge of the area of product development, a new position in charge of conducting evaluations from the standpoint of the entire vehicle consistently for all models and new positions in charge of supervising design creation of Honda and Acura models, respectively, on a global basis. Through these changes, we will realize a development structure that can further highlight the unique characteristics of Honda.
The roles and responsibilities of each area such as production, purchasing, quality, service and sales will be further clarified. At the same time, we will establish a new structure which enables us to make simple and speedy decisions.
3. Creating attractive products unique to Honda
In order to create products unique to Honda, we will re-emphasize
putting strong attention to the “product concept.” At the same time, we
will further evolve our design and driving experience, which are a part
of Honda DNA.
We will start a project that will further advance and take our unique S-E-D-development system, a consistent flow throughout the areas of sales, production (engineering) and development, to the next level. At the same time, we will introduce a new approach to automobile manufacturing which requires consideration of electrification beyond the concept of a “platform.”
Through these initiatives, we will strive for the creation of attractive automobile products unique to Honda as well as improvement in the profitability of our automobile business and enhancement of our brands.
We will start a project that will further advance and take our unique S-E-D-development system, a consistent flow throughout the areas of sales, production (engineering) and development, to the next level. At the same time, we will introduce a new approach to automobile manufacturing which requires consideration of electrification beyond the concept of a “platform.”
Through these initiatives, we will strive for the creation of attractive automobile products unique to Honda as well as improvement in the profitability of our automobile business and enhancement of our brands.
4. Strengthening our automobile production system and capability on a global basis
We will strengthen our global automobile production from two directions.
1) Realizing mutually complementary production by utilizing global models
Europe:
Base for supplying the next Civic Hatchback to North America and other parts of the world
Japan:
Base for providing flexible support for production/supply of other regions depending on the demand and supply balance in each region
For North America, we began supplying Fit last year. We will begin exporting Accord Hybrid this year. In the future, we will consider producing and exporting Civic and CR-V while carefully monitoring demand in North America so that we can establish a mutually complementary production system between Japan and the U.S.
For Europe, in addition to the Jazz, which we have already been supplying from Japan, the HR-V and CR-V will be supplied from Japan, so that Japan will complement production in Europe, which will focus on production of the next Civic Hatchback.
For Canada, the original plan was to have Canada produce and export CR-V to Europe. However, in order to accommodate high demand for light truck models in North America, the plan was changed to have Canada focus on supplying CR-V for North America and have Japan export CR-V to Europe.
In Japan, with production of the export models mentioned above and strengthening of sales of Japanese models, we will strive to realize a production system with annual capacity at the level of about halfway between 900,000 to 1 million units.
Base for supplying the next Civic Hatchback to North America and other parts of the world
Japan:
Base for providing flexible support for production/supply of other regions depending on the demand and supply balance in each region
For North America, we began supplying Fit last year. We will begin exporting Accord Hybrid this year. In the future, we will consider producing and exporting Civic and CR-V while carefully monitoring demand in North America so that we can establish a mutually complementary production system between Japan and the U.S.
For Europe, in addition to the Jazz, which we have already been supplying from Japan, the HR-V and CR-V will be supplied from Japan, so that Japan will complement production in Europe, which will focus on production of the next Civic Hatchback.
For Canada, the original plan was to have Canada produce and export CR-V to Europe. However, in order to accommodate high demand for light truck models in North America, the plan was changed to have Canada focus on supplying CR-V for North America and have Japan export CR-V to Europe.
In Japan, with production of the export models mentioned above and strengthening of sales of Japanese models, we will strive to realize a production system with annual capacity at the level of about halfway between 900,000 to 1 million units.
2) Strengthening production and sales of regional models in each region to accommodate regional needs
North America:
In addition to the Pilot, the all-new Ridgeline, and the next CR-V and Odyssey are scheduled to be launched. In order to accommodate these new model introductions and high demand for light truck products in North America, production of large-sized SUVs which have been concentrated at the plant in Alabama will be expanded to another plant. The East Liberty Auto Plant in Ohio will start producing the Acura MDX in 2017 as the second plant to produce light truck models in North America.
China:
Production will be expanded along with the introduction of key new models such as a large-sized SUV which is scheduled to be announced this year under the Honda brand and an all-new Acura compact SUV, etc.
Japan:
The Freed compact minivan is scheduled to undergo a full model change this year.
We will strive to optimize the supply-demand balance on a global basis through the establishment of a structure that enables prompt production and supply of products with high product strengths and profitability.
In addition to the Pilot, the all-new Ridgeline, and the next CR-V and Odyssey are scheduled to be launched. In order to accommodate these new model introductions and high demand for light truck products in North America, production of large-sized SUVs which have been concentrated at the plant in Alabama will be expanded to another plant. The East Liberty Auto Plant in Ohio will start producing the Acura MDX in 2017 as the second plant to produce light truck models in North America.
China:
Production will be expanded along with the introduction of key new models such as a large-sized SUV which is scheduled to be announced this year under the Honda brand and an all-new Acura compact SUV, etc.
Japan:
The Freed compact minivan is scheduled to undergo a full model change this year.
We will strive to optimize the supply-demand balance on a global basis through the establishment of a structure that enables prompt production and supply of products with high product strengths and profitability.
【Creating new values unique to Honda】
Boosting the introduction of electrification technologies
Motorcycle:
We are planning to introduce the EV-CUB, a mass-production model developed based on the EV-CUB Concept electric motorcycle, to the Japanese market about 2 years from now, and then subsequently in main ASEAN countries, which has been the largest market for the Honda Cub Series.
Building on the Cub model, which have taken deep root in people’s everyday lives, we will strive to popularize the EV and reduce CO2 emissions.
Automobile:
For the further reduction of CO2, in addition to the advancement of downsized turbo engines, we will position plug-in hybrids at the core of electrification in the future and introduce an all-new plug-in hybrid model in North America by 2018. After that, we will make a plug-in hybrid type available for our major models and increase the number of models sequentially.
As for fuel cell vehicles (FCV), we will begin sales in Japan of the Clarity Fuel Cell in March 2016.
The next-generation fuel cell system which is being developed jointly with General Motors, will move on to the next stage that includes production and purchasing, aiming at a product launch around 2020.
With these initiatives, we will strive to make two-thirds of our overall unit sales from plug-in hybrid/hybrid vehicles and zero-emissions vehicles such as, FCVs and battery EVs by around 2030.
Power Products:
We will proactively pursue electrification of lawn mowers and construction machines and enhance the lineup of automated machines that come after the electric robotic lawnmower. In this way, we will contribute to the reduction of CO2 emissions.
Moreover, we are striving to realize a society where we are not only consuming energy but supporting the energy-oriented society with our mobility products. This includes our efforts in the development of a smart hydrogen station and other initiatives to realize a sustainable and smart society.
Through these initiatives, Honda – the world’s largest powertrain manufacturer whose broad range of businesses includes motorcycles, automobiles and power products – will strive to become a company that leads the world’s CO2 reduction efforts.
We are planning to introduce the EV-CUB, a mass-production model developed based on the EV-CUB Concept electric motorcycle, to the Japanese market about 2 years from now, and then subsequently in main ASEAN countries, which has been the largest market for the Honda Cub Series.
Building on the Cub model, which have taken deep root in people’s everyday lives, we will strive to popularize the EV and reduce CO2 emissions.
Automobile:
For the further reduction of CO2, in addition to the advancement of downsized turbo engines, we will position plug-in hybrids at the core of electrification in the future and introduce an all-new plug-in hybrid model in North America by 2018. After that, we will make a plug-in hybrid type available for our major models and increase the number of models sequentially.
As for fuel cell vehicles (FCV), we will begin sales in Japan of the Clarity Fuel Cell in March 2016.
The next-generation fuel cell system which is being developed jointly with General Motors, will move on to the next stage that includes production and purchasing, aiming at a product launch around 2020.
With these initiatives, we will strive to make two-thirds of our overall unit sales from plug-in hybrid/hybrid vehicles and zero-emissions vehicles such as, FCVs and battery EVs by around 2030.
Power Products:
We will proactively pursue electrification of lawn mowers and construction machines and enhance the lineup of automated machines that come after the electric robotic lawnmower. In this way, we will contribute to the reduction of CO2 emissions.
Moreover, we are striving to realize a society where we are not only consuming energy but supporting the energy-oriented society with our mobility products. This includes our efforts in the development of a smart hydrogen station and other initiatives to realize a sustainable and smart society.
Through these initiatives, Honda – the world’s largest powertrain manufacturer whose broad range of businesses includes motorcycles, automobiles and power products – will strive to become a company that leads the world’s CO2 reduction efforts.
【Motorsports】
In the FIA Formula One World Championship (F1), where Honda is
competing as a power unit supplier, we will work together with McLaren
and strive for positive results by making steady progress while building
on what we learned in the last season.
【Closing】
Through these measures and initiatives, Honda will strive to create
values which make people’s lives and life styles more enjoyable. What
keeps us driving toward this end is “The Power of Dreams.” While always
keeping this in mind, all Honda associates will work as one team in our
respective areas while demonstrating the power of “Team Honda” to the
fullest extent.
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