In a bid to boost sales, American Honda has announced it will realign its automobile sales and marketing operations into separate divisions organized by brand, as the Honda Division and Acura Division.
The decision, effective April 1, is intended “to create greater clarity and more cohesive sales and marketing plans that are right for the products and customers of each brand,” Honda said in a press release.
As a consequence of this move, Michael Accavitti will become senior vice president and general manager of the Acura Division. Currently the senior vice president of Auto Operations, Accavitti will be responsible for all sales, marketing and parts and service business for the Acura brand.
The Honda Division will be led by Jeff Conrad, as senior vice president and general manager of the Honda Division. Conrad is currently the vice president and general manager of Acura Sales.
Although Honda and Acura will have dedicated sales and marketing teams, both will be housed under a single American Honda Auto Division, headed by John Mendel, executive vice president of what is now called the Automobile Sales Division.
“Our goal is to accelerate the already strong sales growth of the Honda and Acura brands through a more cohesive strategy, with a heightened focus on the unique needs of luxury and mainstream customers,” said Mendel.
Also effective April 1, American Honda will set up a new Acura Business Planning Office, which will focus on strengthening the business and product strategies for the Acura brand.
By Dan Mihalascu
Note: 2015 Acura TLX Prototype pictured
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