PT Honda Prospect Motor Announces Shugo Watanabe as New President Director

PT Honda Prospect Motor Announces Shugo Watanabe as New President Director

PT Honda Prospect Motor (HPM) announced changes to its leadership structure at a position handover ceremony which took place in Jakarta, March 27 2024. In this event, Kotaro Shimizu officially handed over the position of President Director of PT HPM to Shugo Watanabe as the next leader.

The new President Director of PT HPM, Shugo Watanabe first joined Honda in 2000. Before being assigned to Indonesia, Watanabe had been assigned to various countries. In 2007, he served in Spain and then returned to Japan in 2010.

He then served in Malaysia in 2015 and in 2018 served in India. Then in 2021 Watanabe served in the United States as Vice President Auto Planning & Strategy Auto Sales before becoming President Director of PT Honda Prospect Motor in 2024.

"Indonesia is a strategic market for Honda, and I feel proud of the trust given to lead Honda Prospect Motor to become a company whose existence is desired by the Indonesian people. "Therefore, my vision is to continue to provide quality, reliable products that suit the needs of consumers in Indonesia," said Watanabe.

In his speech, Shimizu said, "When I first served in Indonesia as part of HPM, I felt excited because I believed Indonesia was one of Honda's markets that had great potential and was full of challenges. Unfortunately, I arrived here at a time of transition from the pandemic. However, I am grateful for the support from media friends as well, Honda is able to get through these difficult times."

The previous President Director of HPM, Kotaro Shimizu, has served since 2022. During his leadership period, Kotaro Shimizu together with HPM has launched various Honda car models in various segments, including several models that are currently popular models starting from the New Honda Brio, All New Honda Civic Type R, and New Honda City.

Kotaro Shimizu presents the Honda WR-V as Honda's first Small SUV model. Since its launch at the end of 2022, this model has not only received an enthusiastic response from consumers in Indonesia, but has also been positively received by consumers in several countries in the Southeast Asia region.

Apart from that, Shimizu has started the era of Honda electrification in Indonesia by launching hybrid cars with e:HEV technology through two flagship models, namely the All New Honda CR-V RS e:HEV and the All New Honda Accord RS e:HEV.

Apart from launching hybrid products, Honda is also starting to implement electrification in Indonesia by conducting research and studies on electric vehicles that are suitable for infrastructure in Indonesia. During his tenure, Honda has been awarded various awards which Honda has won in appreciation for product quality, after-sales service quality, customer satisfaction, and consumer favorite choices.

Apart from presenting various products that suit various needs, in an effort to get closer to consumers, Kotaro Shimizu also brings HPM to continue expanding its dealer network throughout Indonesia. From 2022 to March 2024, Shimizu has opened 33 new dealers, increasing the total number of Honda dealers to 161 dealers and 25 dealer networks. To better meet consumer needs, Shimizu has innovated by presenting official used car dealers who have Honda Certified Used Cars in various regions in Indonesia.