Honda Automobile (Thailand) Co., Ltd. is pleased to announce the appointment of Mr. Koji Iwanami as its new President & CEO, effective April 1, 2025. With a well-rounded background in automotive research and development, business development and strategy, he is poised to drive Honda's core values forward, strengthen brand trust, and enhance products that engage customers, making Honda a trusted companion that delivers worry-free after-sales service throughout every journey.
Mr. Iwanami's passion for automobiles began in primary school, inspired by Formula One, where Honda was an engine manufacturer. This motivated him to pursue mechanical engineering, with a clear goal of joining Honda to create cars the way he desires.
He took the first step in his career at Honda in 2003 as an Air Conditioning Design Engineer at Honda R&D Co., Ltd. in Japan. Driven by his passion for full vehicle development, he played a key role in the creation of several Honda models, including Assistant Project Leader for Honda HR-V (2014), a model well-received globally and in the Thai market. With his extensive experience, Mr. Iwanami became a Large Project Leader (LPL), overseeing the entire car development process, from planning, styling, R&D, production, and sales.
With a proven track record of delivering value for customers, he is well-positioned to lead Honda into its next phase of growth. He was promoted to a Business Unit Officer (BUO) role at Honda Motor and later became Head of Business Unit in the highly competitive U.S. market—one of Honda's key global regions—where he oversaw product strategy, R&D and sales planning for key models, initially focusing on ICE vehicles before leading the transition to BEV technologies. As Senior Vice President of American Honda, he expanded his leadership to include overall business strategy and brand development across the U.S. market.
With over 20 years of experience, Mr. Iwanami's appointment as President and CEO of Honda Automobile (Thailand) Co., Ltd. in April 2025 was the result of a carefully planned leadership transition. As a new-generation executive, he is well-prepared to navigate Thailand's increasingly competitive automotive landscape.
Sharing his vision for Honda Thailand, Mr. Iwanami stated: "Honda is a trusted companion on every journey, building lasting emotional connections with our customers while delivering exceptional vehicles that empower them with the inspiration and confidence to explore new possibilities in mobility. We are dedicated to providing value at every touchpoint, ensuring that customers not only trust our products but also feel supported through superior after-sales service. As we embrace the future of mobility, my goal is to strengthen Honda Thailand's position by consistently meeting and exceeding customer expectations, fostering trust, and seamlessly connecting experiences throughout their lifetime ownership journey."
Guided by Mr. Iwanami's extensive experience, Honda Thailand is moving forward with a clear focus on long-term customer value through lifestyle relevant products, seamless support services, and strong dealer partnerships. By staying true to its brand values and placing customers at the center of every initiative, Honda aims to play a meaningful role in shaping the future of mobility in Thailand and while also conducting its business alongside Thai people and strengthening its strong commitment as an organization that society wants to exist.
Source: Spark Communications