Maybe it's the time to shift gear. Honda has changed the man behind the steering wheel in India. He is a After H Yamada's three-year tenure as head of the Japanese auto giant's India venture, Honda named a man with vast experience in the automobile industry as President and CEO of Honda Siel Cars India in April, 2005. The Indian market is major one for every car maker across the world. Honda's products in India include the City, the Accord, the CR-V and the Tucson. Given this, they knew that needed someone with solid experience to head the Indian operations.

The obvious choice was Takedagawa. Though Honda has not entered the small car market in India yet, it has emerged as a significant player in rapidly auto industry in India. The company figures among the top players in the Indian premium and luxury car market. HSCI was established in December 1995, with Honda Motor Co., (Japan) and Siel Ltd. (India) being the key promoters. HSCI started commercial production in December 1997 when it introduced the Honda City. The internationally successful Honda Accord was launched in July 2001. Simultaneously, the company also introduced CR-V, offering a unique combination of 'sedan and SUV', thus creating a new segment in the Indian car industry.

In 2005, it launched the Tucson. Takedagawa knows the challenges he faces in his new assignment and he has taken to the new job with gusto. Soon after his appointment, he said, "This is my first stint in India and I am really excited about it, particularly the way the Indian automobile market has been growing. The company's performance last year has been really commendable, with each model performing brilliantly. This certainly is the result of Honda's global philosophy of providing highest levels of customer satisfaction.

I would also endeavour to continue with the same focus in the coming years." Takedagawa is no stranger in Honda. He has been associated with the car major for the last 25 years and held various positions of responsibility. Apart from highly developed markets like the US and Europe, he also has significant experience in developing countries in Asia and Oceania region. Prior to his Indian assignment, Takedagawa was global head of product planning at Honda Motor, Japan. India is the new road ahead of him and he knows he will need all his skills to manoeuvre past the hurdles that will lie on the way.