[csimo]

If you want a perfect example of the conflicting directions at Honda/Acura just watch this video. Things are very much in a state of flux. I don't pretend to understand Japanese corporate culture, but apparently the expected retirement age is 60 years old. Ito ignored that, and then a further attempt to oust him. It took the 'advisory group' to first hint then insist last night that he step down.

The 'Asia editor' seems conflicted on the issue as well.

I'll set the record straight. Honda and Acura have some of the best engineers in the world who CHOSE to work at Honda pre-Ito for far less money than they could get elsewhere. Their frustration levels remind me of my personal Chrysler days. Some have left. To insult those fine people with "tunnel vision" is a damned good reason to send him packing.

Ito and a few others will join the advisory board. Unofficial, but still with great power to remove mistakes like Ito.

Don't be fooled by all the June dates. That's just when the shareholder meeting makes the changes official. Ito has no power today along with the others on the way out. June is a technicality.

http://www.autonews.com/article/20150223/VIDEO/302239925/autonews-now-is-acura-too-american

 

[chiph]

I remember seeing a video from about 10 years ago where an engineer said that the reason he went to go work at Honda was that the company let him build the best product possible.

Based on my experience with the Civic, Honda engineering was being second-guessed by the accountants. Which is exactly what went wrong at GM and Chrysler. They destroyed the company's reputation for short-term profits, a tenth of a cent at a time.

I agree about the airbag scandal. Ito gets a pass on that. Should Honda have done independent testing of a supplier's parts? They probably did at first during acceptance testing, but given how rare the issue is, it just never occurred where they could see it.

Chip H.

 

[Dnick]

I remember seeing a video from about 10 years ago where an engineer said that the reason he went to go work at Honda was that the company let him build the best product possible.

Based on my experience with the Civic, Honda engineering was being second-guessed by the accountants. Which is exactly what went wrong at GM and Chrysler. They destroyed the company's reputation for short-term profits, a tenth of a cent at a time.

I agree about the airbag scandal. Ito gets a pass on that. Should Honda have done independent testing of a supplier's parts? They probably did at first during acceptance testing, but given how rare the issue is, it just never occurred where they could see it.

Chip H.

Agree that a bad supplier can undo anybody's best intentions, temporarily anyway... BUT the cover-up is a different story. Ito was ultimate leader & set the tone for quality .... not only of product design, materials, but also conduct. That cover up (the understated extent of air bag problem) was reflective of an atmosphere of deteriorating integrity & compromised values. THAT is on Ito.