Honda Cars PH names new president/GM

MANILA, Philippines - Honda Cars Philippines, Inc. (HCPI), Honda’s automobile business unit, has named Toshio Kuwahara as its new president and General Manager effective April 1, 2014. Kuwahara is filling the post formerly held by Tatsuya Natsume, who has been assigned a new post in Brazil.

In 2009, Kuwahara was handed his first assignment in the Philippines when he was appointed as Senior Assistant Vice President for HCPI’s Marketing and Sales Division. “My job in the Philippines is very special to me; not only because this is my first time in the country but also because this is my first assignment in Honda’s automobile business”, according to Kuwahara during a press meeting. Prior to his move to the automobile business, he previously held posts in Honda’s motorcycle business unit for the Asia and Ocenia market.

For almost five years, Kuwahara has been working closely with Filipinos in both HCPI and Honda Cars dealerships during his stint as the marketing guru. He took this opportunity to know more about the Filipinos and specifically their tastes in vehicles. “As one of Honda’s thrust, we always make it a point to satisfy our customers in every aspect of their transactions with us. It is crucial that we know their wants and how we can deliver them,” Kuwahara said. Now that he is the main man behind HCPI, Kuwahara has this to say: “I am very privileged to be given a bigger responsibility for the same market. Rest assured that it is my goal to provide vehicles that the Filipino customers dream of having. I anticipate that what our team has been developing for years are spot on.”

Inquired about his more concrete plans for HCPI during his first year, Kuwahara was quoted saying, “we will keep you very busy this year. Expect new Honda models to be available in the market soon. You will actually see the all-new City very soon.” Optimistic about their new products for the Filipinos, Kuwahara sees a strong resurgence of the Honda brand in the automotive scene.

While dedicating most of his time learning about the Philippine automotive operations, Kuwahara also allowed himself to discover the beauty of the Philippines and its people. “For every free time that I have, I always try to take my family on a trip and explore your country together. My wife and kids love the Philippines as much as I do. This country is filled with so much uniqueness—the incomparable Filipino hospitality, impeccable work dedication and being one of the happiest people I know. Well, it’s not hard to be happy if you have such beautiful country and amazing people,” shares Kuwahara.