From Autoline Daily:
http://world.honda.com/news/2012/c120221Management-Changes/index.html
"In a sign of how serious Japanese automakers are struggling with the strong yen, Honda’s top executive in North America will also become the second-highest executive in the company. Tetsuo Iwamura, who is already COO for North America will also become executive vice president and an executive officer of Honda worldwide. Honda is also appointing Erik Berkman to head its R&D operations in North America, the first time that has not been held by a Japanese. Berkman used to run Honda Performance Development, its racing operations in the U.S"
Not sure if this is a good thing or not but it can't hurt to have a guy with racing experience as the head of R&D. I'm sure that this is tied to the official Acura press release in January where they said "The new Acura supercar, expected to debut in the next three years, will be developed by an engineering team led by Honda R&D Americas, Inc...."
http://world.honda.com/news/2012/c120221Management-Changes/index.html
"In a sign of how serious Japanese automakers are struggling with the strong yen, Honda’s top executive in North America will also become the second-highest executive in the company. Tetsuo Iwamura, who is already COO for North America will also become executive vice president and an executive officer of Honda worldwide. Honda is also appointing Erik Berkman to head its R&D operations in North America, the first time that has not been held by a Japanese. Berkman used to run Honda Performance Development, its racing operations in the U.S"
Not sure if this is a good thing or not but it can't hurt to have a guy with racing experience as the head of R&D. I'm sure that this is tied to the official Acura press release in January where they said "The new Acura supercar, expected to debut in the next three years, will be developed by an engineering team led by Honda R&D Americas, Inc...."
