Honda to Move Top U.S. Executives to Ohio

Honda Motor Co. will relocate the senior executives of its North American unit to its manufacturing center in Marysville, Ohio, from Torrance, Calif., on April 1.

In all, about 50 salaried employees will make the move. Honda's U.S. sales and marketing unit, which has about 2,500 employees, will remain based in Torrance.

Honda says it will boost efficiency and accelerate decision-making by bringing the heads of such functions as product development and manufacturing together with their staffs. The company says the change is part of its strategy of giving more authority for local sales, manufacturing and product development to its North American unit.

The company also is creating Honda North America Services to consolidate such support operations as accounting, human resources and purchasing. The new Marysville-based group also will coordinate new-vehicle launch activities. Hidenobu Iwata, head of North American production, will add the duties of president of the services unit.

Tetsuo Iwamura, president of Honda North America, will add the title of chief operating office for the region. He also will become Honda's COO for global auto operations and risk management officer.

Both promotions take effect on April 1.