Tiny Fit signals big changes for Honda: All at once, a new design, r&d strategy, hybrid powertrain

摘要

TAKASU, Japan - Takariobu Ito inherited a colossal to-do list when he took over as CEO of Honda Motor Co. in 2009. The embattled company needed to reduce its global cost structure, shield itself from the surging yen, spice up stale styling and close a widening hybrid-vehicle gap with archrival Toyota. Pieces of his comeback plan have slowly fallen into place since then. But no vehicle symbolizes Ito's wide-ranging efforts more than the redesigned Honda Fit that goes on sale in Japan in September and hits U.S. showrooms by next summer. For a third-generation vehicle, the new Fit racks up a long list of firsts and marks a turning point for Honda on many levels.