Toshihiro Mibe
President, CEO and Representative Director
2021 – Present
5 years (current)
Key Decisions & Impact
Toshihiro Mibe was appointed President and CEO in 2021, instantly initiating the most radical, aggressive corporate transformation in Honda's entire history. Recognizing the existential threat posed by the rapid global transition to electrification, Mibe made the bold, controversial decision to firmly commit Honda to phasing out internal combustion engines by 2040—a shocking pivot for a company historically defined by its engine supremacy. He reallocated capital away from legacy combustion projects, pledging an unprecedented JPY 10 trillion ($67 billion) investment toward EV platforms, solid-state batteries, and advanced software-defined vehicle architectures. Crucially, he orchestrated the historic, unprecedented strategic alliance with domestic rival Nissan in 2024 to desperately share procurement and software development costs.
Legacy
Mibe's ultimate contribution is forcing a reluctant, traditional engineering culture to confront the brutal realities of the electric future. His decisive leadership and willingness to forge unprecedented mega-alliances are essential to ensuring Honda's long-term survival, preventing the company from becoming obsolete in a rapidly digitizing global automotive landscape dominated by hyper-agile tech companies. His ability to force structural change upon a conservative organization proved to be his defining legacy.