Honda Motor Co., Ltd. has appointed Toshiyuki Yanagisawa as President & CEO of Honda Cars India Ltd (HCIL) effective 1 October 2026. Yanagisawa, who also leads Honda Digital Innovation India, brings deep knowledge of India’s automotive market. Current CEO Takashi Nakajima will move to Asian Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
Honda Motor Co., Ltd. has announced a significant leadership change in its Indian operations, appointing Toshiyuki Yanagisawa as the new President & CEO of Honda Cars India Ltd (HCIL) with effect from 1 October 2026. Yanagisawa, currently serving as Operating Executive of Honda, heads the India Strategic Development Office and is also CEO of Honda Digital Innovation India Pvt. Ltd. (HDII). In his new role, he will jointly lead HCIL and HDII, signalling Honda’s intent to strengthen its integration of traditional automotive operations with digital innovation in the Indian market.
Yanagisawa’s appointment marks a return to familiar territory. He has previously worked with HCIL during earlier global assignments, giving him a strong understanding of India’s automotive landscape, consumer preferences and business environment. His experience in both conventional automotive operations and digital transformation is expected to help Honda sharpen its competitive edge in a market that is rapidly evolving with electrification, connectivity and mobility solutions.
The leadership transition comes as Takashi Nakajima, the current President & CEO of HCIL, prepares to move to Honda’s regional headquarters at Asian Honda Motor Co., Ltd. after completing his tenure in India. Nakajima’s period of leadership saw Honda navigate a challenging environment marked by shifting consumer demand, regulatory changes and intensifying competition. His move to the regional hub underscores Honda’s strategy of leveraging experienced leadership across its Asian operations.
For Honda, India remains a critical market, both as a consumer base and as a hub for exports. The dual leadership structure, with Yanagisawa overseeing both HCIL and HDII, reflects Honda’s ambition to align its manufacturing and sales operations with digital innovation initiatives. This approach is expected to accelerate the company’s ability to deliver customer-centric solutions, enhance operational efficiency and prepare for future mobility trends.
Industry observers note that Yanagisawa’s familiarity with India, combined with his global perspective, positions him well to steer Honda’s next phase of growth in the country. His leadership is likely to focus on strengthening Honda’s product portfolio, expanding its footprint in emerging segments and deepening its engagement with Indian consumers. As Honda continues to adapt to the dynamic automotive landscape, this appointment signals a renewed commitment to India as a strategic market within its global operations.
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