TOKYO — Toshihiro Mibe, the man tapped last week as Honda's next CEO, had an epiphany about the importance of looking outside for new perspective when working with General Motors on a past project.
It was back when Honda and GM were cooperating on efforts to reduce the use of platinum and other precious metals in catalysts. The companies had different approaches. Honda was focused on finding a technological solution, while GM took a pragmatic route based simply on the total vehicle volume it expected to sell.
To Mibe's surprise, GM's way slashed precious metal use by more than Honda even imagined possible.
"They had a different perspective," Mibe said of the eye-opening interchange.