Honda SA gets new MD

The 20-year Honda Motor Corporation veteran, Horoaki Shibata, has replaced Mashiro Matshushita as managing director of the company’s South African division.

The 20-year Honda Motor Corporation veteran, Horoaki Shibata, has replaced Mashiro Matshushita as managing director of the company’s South African division.

Shibata joined the multinational in 1986 and spent six years working in various divisions in Japan before his transfer to Honda UK. After five years in the UK and Europe, Shibata returned to Japan where he managed the sales division for the Middle and Near East, and Africa regions.

Speaking about his latest appointment, Shibata said: “South Africa is an extremely competitive and exciting market. Coming off a strong base – so successfully established in South Africa by Mr Matsushita – I am planning further growth, to make Honda an even stronger competitor here in South Africa.

“Coupled to the introduction of some very exciting products we have for this market, we plan on building the Honda brand. I am really optimistic about the challenge that the future holds.”

His predecessor Masahiro Matsushita has been appointed executive vice president of Honda North Europe, and will be based in Frankfurt.