Honda Motor Co. said Tuesday that Takeo Fukui, a senior managing director, will succeed President Hiroyuki Yoshino in June.
Yoshino, 63, will become a board director and adviser, according to Japan's second-largest carmaker
The change is expected to be approved at a board meeting following a general shareholders' meeting in late June.
Fukui, 58, who currently oversees Honda's technology and motor sports operations, said his mission is to develop attractive new products, promote technology for environmentally friendly vehicles and continue developing the ASIMO humanoid robot.
He said he will also try to optimize the firm's production bases in North America, China and other Asian countries to quickly supply products that meet customers' needs.
"I would like to upgrade our brand power by improving product quality and motivating our employees" worldwide, he told a news conference at Honda's headquarters in Minato Ward, Tokyo.
Yoshino, who has served as president since June 1998, said he chose Fukui as his successor because of his vitality and experience in a variety of business fields, including the management of Honda's U.S. manufacturing unit and auto parts purchasing operations.
Honda Chairman Yoshihide Munekuni, also chairman of the Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association, will retain his post, Yoshino said.
