Honda N.A. chief adds global role
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Honda Motor Co. has given Tetsuo Iwamura, the head of its North American business, added responsibility for global auto operations.
As COO of automobiles, Iwamura picks up duties currently handled by CEO Takanobu Ito, 59. Iwamura, 61, will keep his current job as president of Honda North America Inc.
The new post solidifies Iwamura's status as a powerful No. 2 at Honda. Ito has run the auto division since 2011, but the job traditionally has not been part of the CEO's portfolio.
Honda also has appointed its global CFO, Fumihiko Ike, 60, the automaker's next chairman. The position of chairman has been vacant since last year when Koichi Kondo retired. Kohei Takeuchi will succeed Ike as CFO and join the board.
The changes take effect April 1.
Separately, Honda said it will form a company to handle information systems, human resources, accounting, finance and other functions in North America. The unit, Honda North America Services, will be based in Marysville, Ohio.
The new company also will "streamline coordination of Honda's r&d, manufacturing, purchasing and sales functions as they relate to the introduction of new products," Honda said. About 50 employees will transfer to the new unit in Ohio from Torrance, Calif.
Honda announced several other promotions effective April 1:
• Hidenobu Iwata, president of Honda of America Manufacturing, will add the role of president of Honda North America Services.
• Bob Nelson will become president of Honda Manufacturing of Indiana, where he is currently a senior vice president.
• Jon Minto was promoted to president of Honda Engineering North America from senior vice president.
• Dan Smith will become president of Honda of Canada Manufacturing in Alliston, Ontario, where he is a senior vice president.
• Jerry Chenkin was named president of Honda Canada, where he is now executive vice president.
You can reach Ryan Beene at rbeene@crain.com. -- Follow Ryan on 
