Research expert named to lead Honda

Toshihiro Mibe, a research expert tapped to be president of Japanese automaker Honda on Friday, promised to steer the company toward new growth by focusing on environmental models and safety technology.

Honda Motor Co. said Mibe replaces Takahiro Hachigo effective April 1. The decision is subject to shareholders’ approval at a meeting in June.

“I am going to build a house that is the future of Honda on the foundation of businesses that Mr. Hachigo has worked so hard to create. And this building must have resilience, to withstand this once-in-a-hundred-years transformation,” Mibe told reporters.

Mibe stressed that the automaker will be aggressive about developing and selling electric vehicles.