Rather than give its six global business units a fixed platform for upcoming products, Honda will give each region a toolbox of component sets from which to develop products that best suit their individual markets. Hit the jump to read the rest of the story.
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Honda, which will redesign its entire European engine lineup within the next few years, will allow regions to develop their own technologies, he said.
Ito said that Honda has recently “transformed” its product development mechanism and system.
“Until now, we developed new technology in Japan and disseminated it to the U.S. and Europe,” he said. “Now, we are encouraging our regions to develop their own technologies and utilize the best materials in their region.”
For instance, Honda’s regions – Japan, Europe, the U.S., China, Asia and the Middle East – might have a different idea for what would make the best Fit or Jazz subcompact hatchback.
Having separate development in each region would allow a more tailored approach to the local customers. It also could allow for simultaneous launches globally, unlike currently where the U.S. and Europe trails the home market launch by a year or two.
“Each region will have its own technologies and materials. This kind of evolution is necessary,” Ito said at the Frankfurt auto show.
The automaker will also give more supplier contracts to companies outside of Japan, as a reaction to the March earthquake that devastated its supply chain.
