Honda Motor Europe Ltd (HME) has announced the appointment of Dave Hodgetts to the new post of European Regional Auditor, commencing 1st April. He will be responsible for the business performance assessment of 27 markets in the European Region as well as those in Middle East, Russia and Africa. The role will also encompass Honda’s six manufacturing facilities within Europe and eight logistics operations. Reporting to HME’s Chief Operating Officer, Manabu Nishimae, Dave’s new appointment will play a key part in Honda’s five year European strategy to create a strong, autonomous regional operation, building on “best practice” in all areas and strengthening Honda’s European business performance overall.
Dave Hodgetts
Dave moves from his three year tenure as Managing Director of Honda (UK) where he has been responsible for Honda’s UK sales operations across cars, motorcycles and power products. Prior to joining Honda’s sales operations, Dave spent 20 years in a variety of management roles at Honda’s Swindon car manufacturing operation, latterly as Director of Planning and Business Administration. Dave’s background in both sales and manufacturing were key factors in his new European appointment.
Commenting on his new role, Dave said, “since joining Honda (UK), I have particularly enjoyed working with our diverse dealer network in the UK and am proud of the strong working relationships that have been achieved with our dealer partners. Our motorcycle and power equipment sales have both grown by over 11 per cent in 2012 along with a 7 per cent increase in our car business, which demonstrates the energy and commitment shown by everyone in the UK business. The new role will encompass the whole of Honda’s extended European region and will give me a great opportunity to better understand the diversity of these different operations and assess the issues that Honda must tackle in order to be successful in both mature and emerging markets”.
Appointed as Dave’s successor in the role of Managing Director, Honda (UK) is Phil Crossman, who moves from his post of General Manager, Cars. For the past two years Phil has been responsible for Honda’s UK car sales operation and is the ideal candidate to lead the overall Honda (UK) business. Previously, Phil was Head of Dealer Development for cars, motorcycles and power products. He joined Honda UK in 2000 as a regional manager from Nissan Motor GB where he was one of the founding business team.
