Honda Motor Co. President Takahiro Hachigo is assembling his team of senior executives a year after being named to the position. Nine members of top management are retiring following a series of quality issues.
Seiji Kuraishi, head of Honda's China business, becomes executive vice president and Hachigo's No. 2 executive, a company statement said. Kuraishi, 57, replaces Tetsuo Iwamura, who is retiring along with Chairman Fumihiko Ike and seven others.
Hachigo is forming a new lineup of direct reports one year after the nation's third-largest automaker tapped him to succeed Takanobu Ito amid struggles with unprecedented quality issues. Honda is recalling thousands of 2016 Civic cars, months after introducing the most crucial redesigned model under Hachigo, because manufacturing errors could lead to engine failures. Honda also is the biggest client of Takata, whose air bag inflators are responsible for the industry's biggest safety recall ever.
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