New Honda Prospect Motor Boss Faces Heavy Responsibilities
JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com – PT Honda Prospect Motor (HPM) has announced a change in company leadership as part of an organisational refresh amid the increasingly dynamic development of the automotive industry.
Shugo Watanabe, who previously served as President Director of PT HPM, has now been replaced by Masanao Kataoka.
Senior Vice President Director of PT HPM, Agus Budiman, stated that the previous leadership occurred amid challenging industry conditions.
Nevertheless, he assessed that Shugo’s leadership was able to maintain the company’s performance, including strengthening Honda’s electrification direction in Indonesia.
One significant achievement was the launch of Honda’s first electric car in the country, the Honda e:N1. In addition, Honda has begun introducing hybrid models as part of the transition towards electrification.
“The electrification foundation built over the past two years will be an important part of Honda’s journey ahead,” said Agus.
In line with this, the position of President Director of PT HPM is now held by Masanao Kataoka, replacing Shugo Watanabe, who has returned to Japan after completing his tenure in Indonesia.
Masanao Kataoka stated that Indonesia is one of Honda’s key markets globally.
“Indonesia has always been one of Honda’s most important markets, and I feel honoured to start a new chapter in my journey with the entire Honda Indonesia team,” said Kataoka.
He added that understanding customer needs is the key to facing the evolving dynamics of the automotive market.
“Every market has its unique characteristics. The most important thing is to always listen and understand what customers need,” he said.
Kataoka also emphasised that the “Three Joys” philosophy remains the foundation of Honda in creating value, not only through products but also experiences for all involved parties.
“Our focus remains the same; we want Honda to continue growing together with customers,” he said.
Meanwhile, Shugo Watanabe expressed appreciation for the support he received during his tenure in Indonesia.