Tadashi Kume

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Tadashi Kume (久米 是志, Kume Tadashi, 2 January 1931 – 11 September 2022)[1] was a Japanese businessman who was the president and CEO of the Honda Motor Co., Ltd.

Career[edit]

Tadashi Kume joined Honda in 1954, eventually becoming Honda's 3rd president in 1983.[2] He specialized in designing engines, and, along with other engineers, helped develop the fuel-efficient CVCC.[2][3] Before becoming president, Kume had a heated argument with then Honda president Soichiro Honda over using air-cooled or water-cooled engines, which led Kume to stay away from work for possibly over a month.[4] He retired in June 1990, and was succeeded by Nobuhiko Kawamoto.[5] Kume is honored in the Japan Automotive Hall of Fame.[6]

References[edit]

  1. ^ 久米是志氏死去、90歳 元ホンダ社長、低公害エンジン開発 (in Japanese)
  2. ^ a b "The secret to creating world-class automobiles, as told by the engineers of Honda". RocketNews24. 9 October 2013. Retrieved 30 October 2013.
  3. ^ Chira, Susan (15 June 1987). "HONDA IS POWERED BY RISKS; IN TOKYO, GIVING DISSENTERS A FORUM". The New York Times. Retrieved 30 October 2013.
  4. ^ Kohama, Hirohisa (2007). Industrial Development in Postwar Japan. Psychology Press. p. 240. ISBN 978-0203939420.
  5. ^ Bradsher, Keith (28 April 1998). "INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS; Honda Chief to Step Down; Few Changes Are Expected". The New York Times. Retrieved 30 October 2013.
  6. ^ "久米 是志". Japan Automotive Hall of Fame. Archived from the original on 1 November 2013.