New Honda Motor Co. President Takahiro Hachigo said Monday he would roll out innovative and challenging products for global markets as he officially took the helm of the embattled automaker, which is mired in a safety crisis caused by its air bag supplier.
"First, we need to produce products that are unique to Honda in order to build our Honda brand. That is where I place my priority," Hachigo said at his first news conference since being appointed to the post on June 17.
Hachigo also offered an apology and said Honda would prioritize safety after a series of recalls in Japan, the U.S., and other markets involving its popular Fit compact, and vehicles equipped with potentially deadly air bag inflators produced by Takata Corp. that have been suspected in at least eight fatalities and 100 injuries.