New president for Honda Canada

Honda Canada has confirmed to Canadian AutoWorld the automaker will have a new president and CEO of its Canadian office.

Manabu Nishimae, who currently sits at the helm of Honda Canada is heading to Japan to act as operating officer for regional operations in Eastern Europe, the Middle and Near East and Africa, effective April, 1.

Masahiro Takedagawa  will succeed Nishimae as head of Honda Canada Inc. Takedagawa is the current operating officer of Honda Motor Company Ltd., and president and  director of Honda Motor India Private Ltd., and Honda Siel Cars India Ltd.

Nishimae replaced Hiroshi Kobayashi in late April 2008. The Japanese native previously worked in Canada for Honda Canada's motorcycle division in the late 1980's,

“I am happy to be back in Canada,” Nishimae said in a release at the time. “I'm very pleased to see the growth that Honda has made in the Canadian market since my previous assignment here. When I last worked in Canada, the Acura Division was just being launched and Honda was selling a limited range of motorcycles, cars and power equipment. The company has grown dramatically since then. The change is truly remarkable.