Honda Malaysia has announced the appointment of Narushi Yazaki as its new managing director and CEO, effective April 1, 2025. Yazaki will succeed Hironobu Yoshimura, who will return to Honda Motor Company in Tokyo, Japan, to take on a new role.
Yazaki brings over 25 years of experience to the position, having held key leadership roles in Japan, Thailand, and the United States. Before this appointment, he was involved in corporate administration operations at Honda Motor Company in Tokyo, Japan.
Expressing his enthusiasm for the new role, Yazaki stated, “I am honoured to take on this responsibility at Honda Malaysia, a market known for its dynamic growth and significant contributions to the Honda brand in the Asia and Oceania region.”
“I aim to build on the strong foundation laid by my predecessors and continue driving Honda Malaysia’s growth and success in this thriving market,” he added.
Yoshimura, Yazaki’s predecessor, joined Honda Malaysia in 2022 and has overseen the company’s launch of several key models, including the third-generation Honda HR-V, Civic e:HEV RS, the Honda WR-V, facelifted Honda City, Civic Type-R FL5, the sixth-generation Honda CR-V, and most recently, the City Hatchback facelift and Civic facelift.
Honda Malaysia has also retained its leading position in the non-national passenger car segment for all three years with Yoshimura at the helm, 2024 being the 11th consecutive year.
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Yazaki will assume his role during a busy period for Honda Malaysia, as the company recently announced plans to introduce three new models in 2025.
Following the 2025 Honda Civic facelift launch in January, Honda Malaysia has confirmed that the fully electric Honda e:N1 will debut this year. This model is part of Honda’s larger strategy to unveil three EV models by 2027.
The third model remains undisclosed, but if we had to guess, it’ll most likely be the Honda HR-V facelift given that the updated model was unveiled in Thailand in November last year, showcasing a refreshed exterior design and interior enhancements.
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