Honda announced several changes, executive , Ranks designed to strengthen its North American regional

Honda yesterday announced several changes in its U.S. executive ranks designed to strengthen its North American regional operations to further speed decision-making and increase efficiency and competitiveness within the region.

Tetsuo Iwamura, President of American Honda Motor Co., Inc., Chief Operating Officer of North American Regional Operations and a Senior Managing Officer of Honda Motor Co., Ltd., will be promoted concurrently to Executive Vice President and Executive Officer, effective April 1. Iwamura will remain as President and retain all his responsibilities as head of American Honda and Honda's North American Region. His appointment to the Board as Representative Director of Honda Motor Co., Ltd., will be pending approval at the company's annual shareholder's meeting in June.

Erik Berkman will become President of Honda R&D Americas, Inc., (HRA) with major centers in Ohio, California, North Carolina and elsewhere in North America, effective April 1, 2012. He will be responsible for all design and product development. Since 1991, Honda R&D has fully developed more than 20 Honda and Acura models in the U.S. Berkman joined Honda in 1982 and worked at HRA from 1991-2008 where he led the development of a number of leading Honda and Acura products. He is currently Vice President of Corporate Planning and Logistics for the Automobile Operations Division of American Honda Motor Co., Inc., and President of Honda Performance Development, Inc. (HPD), Honda's racing company in North America. He will succeed Hiroshi Takemura who will return to Japan as Deputy Director of Automobile Operations.

Art St. Cyr will succeed Berkman as Vice President of Corporate Planning and Logistics for the Automobile Operations Division of American Honda Motor Co., Inc., and President of HPD on April 1, 2012. St. Cyr is currently Chief Engineer and led the development of the all-new 2011 Odyssey at Honda R&D Americas, Inc. Ohio Center.

Brian Newman, will become President of Honda South Carolina Mfg., Inc. (HSC), in Timmonsville, South Carolina, where Honda produces all-terrain vehicles. Newman, who has been with Honda for 32 years including 21 years with Honda of America Mfg. Inc. (HAM), in Ohio, is currently Senior Vice President of HSC.

Charles Ernst has been named Chief Engineer of the Powertrain Function at the North American Engineering Center at HAM, where he will be responsible for expanding Honda's new engine technologies for its North American operations. Ernst joined Honda in 1985, working at the HAM Anna Engine Plant, in Anna, Ohio. He is currently Senior Vice President at Honda Manufacturing of Alabama, LLC, responsible for engine and vehicle manufacturing operations.