Honda appoints Atsushi Ogata as its new president, CEO, MD

Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India (HMSI) has announced a new top order, with changes effective from May 1. The company has appointed Atsushi Ogata as the new president, CEO and MD. He replaces Minoru Kato, who has been elevated to the role of operating executive and chief officer, life creation operation, Honda Motor Japan after completing his three-year stint in the group's Indian arm.

Ogata has a rich 35-year experience within Honda across Europe, Japan, China, and Asia and Oceania regions, and held the position of executive director, Asia and Oceania region for the last one year after being deputed to Asian Honda Motor Company, Thailand, in 2018 as the director of regional operations.

As part of some more leadership changes, HMSI has further elevated YS Guleria and Vinay Dhingra to its board of directors.

YS Guleria, who was in charge of the company's sales and marketing function as its senior vice-president, was elevated to the director's position on April 3. Now, as a director, Guleria, along with sales and marketing, has greater responsibilities, with additional charge of customer service, logistics planning and control, premium motorcycle business, and brand and communication.

Vinay Dhingra, who was previously the senior vice-president of the general and corporate affairs is also appointed as the new director, with added responsibility of Strategic Information System (SIS) along with general and corporate affairs.

Meanwhile, two directors have retired after completing their respective tenures. These include Anupam Mohindroo (previously director – purchase, HMSI) and Harbhajan Singh (previously director – general and corporate affairs, HMSI).

The company has also elevated V Sridhar (earlier SVP and director – manufacturing, HMSI) to now be the senior director – purchase.

HMSI closed FY2020 with total sales of 47,06,589 units, down 14.75 percent year on year (FY2019: 55,20,606). Cumulative sales comprised 31,47,919 scooters (-14.46 percent / FY2019: 36,80,403) and 15,58,670 motorcycles (-15.29 percent / FY2019: 18,40,203)

The company currently has a 27 percent overall market share with Hero MotoCorp leading with 35.78 percent (62,31,458 units). In scooters it has a 56 percent market share and in motorcycles a 13.90 percent share.