Honda Motor Company has announced a leadership change at its Indian passenger vehicle business, appointing Toshiyuki Yanagisawa as the new President and Chief Executive Officer of Honda Cars India Ltd (HCIL). The appointment will take effect from October 1, 2026, marking a new phase for the company’s operations in one of its key global markets.
The announcement comes as Honda continues to strengthen its long-term strategy in India, where it has identified significant growth opportunities for its passenger vehicle business.
Leadership Transition at Honda Cars India
According to the company’s announcement, Toshiyuki Yanagisawa will succeed Takashi Nakajima, who has been serving as the President and CEO of Honda Cars India. After completing his tenure in India, Nakajima will move to the regional headquarters of Asian Honda Motor Co. Ltd.
The leadership transition is part of Honda’s broader organizational strategy as it aligns its global management structure with future business priorities. Yanagisawa will officially assume charge from October 1, 2026.
Experienced Executive Takes Charge
Yanagisawa currently serves as an Operating Executive at Honda Motor Company. He is also leading the India Strategic Development Office while serving as the Chief Executive Officer of Honda Digital Innovation India Pvt. Ltd. (HDII).
With his extensive involvement in Honda’s India-focused initiatives, Yanagisawa has been closely associated with the company’s long-term plans for the country. His experience in strategic planning and digital innovation is expected to support Honda’s next phase of development in the Indian market.
In his new role, Yanagisawa will continue to oversee Honda Digital Innovation India while also leading Honda Cars India. The company said he will jointly head both HCIL and HDII, bringing together vehicle operations and digital innovation under a unified leadership structure.
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India Remains Central to Honda’s Growth Plans
Honda has identified North America, Japan, and India as three priority markets in its future global growth strategy. The company has been increasing its focus on India as it works to strengthen its presence in the country’s expanding passenger vehicle sector.
To support these efforts, Honda established the India Strategic Development Office, which has been responsible for developing market-specific strategies and execution plans tailored to Indian customer requirements.
The company said the office has been working on initiatives designed to accelerate business growth and strengthen Honda’s position in the Indian automotive market.
India-Focused Vehicle Project Moves Ahead
Honda also shared an update on its future product roadmap for India. The company said that initiatives related to its India-focused strategic vehicle, which is planned for launch in 2028, have now entered the execution phase.
This marks an important milestone in Honda’s long-term plans for the Indian market. While the company did not disclose additional details about the upcoming vehicle, it confirmed that preparations have progressed beyond the planning stage and are now focused on execution.
The project forms part of Honda’s broader strategy to develop products specifically designed to meet the needs of Indian customers while supporting the company’s future growth objectives in the country.
Focus on Long-Term Market Expansion
The appointment of Toshiyuki Yanagisawa comes at a time when Honda is intensifying its efforts to expand its business in India. By combining the leadership of Honda Cars India and Honda Digital Innovation India under a single executive, the company aims to strengthen coordination between its automotive operations and digital initiatives.
With India continuing to play a significant role in Honda’s global strategy, the leadership transition reflects the company’s commitment to driving long-term growth and advancing the execution of its future plans in one of the world’s largest automobile markets.
Founder
Honda Motor Company was founded in 1948 by Soichiro Honda and Takeo Fujisawa. The Japanese automobile and motorcycle manufacturer has grown into one of the world’s leading mobility companies, with operations across multiple global markets, including India.
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