Dave Gardner, currently the President and CEO of Honda Canada, Inc., will join American Honda Motor Co., Inc. as Executive Vice President and Business Unit Head of Automobile Sales. Gardner will also serve as Executive Vice President of the Parts, Service & Technical business unit. Gardner’s appointment is effective May 1, 2020, with American Honda President and CEO Shinji Aoyama continuing to serve as interim head of Auto Sales until that time.
“Dave is a strong Honda leader who brings years of broad-based experience to this key position in our U.S. operations,” said Aoyama. “He has extensive knowledge of the auto industry and is highly respected by our Honda and Acura dealers in Canada and by the leadership of our North American operations. I have great confidence in both his character and his abilities.”
As Executive Vice President and Business Unit Head for Automobile Sales, Gardner will have responsibility for the Sales and Marketing Divisions. In addition to this role, the Business Unit heads of the Parts Service and Technical (PST) area, who have responsibility for the Parts, Service, Technical Service and PST Planning and Customer Relations divisions, will report to Gardner as Executive Vice President. He also will become a member of the American Honda Board of Directors.
Gardner will be succeeded in Canada by Jean Marc Leclerc, Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing of Honda Canada, Inc., who will become President and CEO of Honda Canada, Inc. also effective May 1, 2020.
A thirty-one year veteran of Honda, Gardner is currently responsible for all business operations at Honda Canada, Inc., including the Honda and Acura Automotive Divisions, and Honda Motorcycle, Power Equipment, ATV and Engine businesses. Additionally, he has overall responsibility for Honda’s Canadian manufacturing operations. Dave is also a member of the North American Regional Operating Board, as well as a member of the Honda Canada Foundation.
Gardner’s career at Honda Canada, Inc. began in 1989 as a Honda District Sales Manager in the Central Zone office. He has held positions including Zone Manager of Central Zone, National Sales Manager for both Honda and Acura, Assistant Vice President, Acura, Vice President, Customer Service Division, and Vice President of Sales and Marketing for both Honda and Acura. In 2015, Gardner became Senior Vice President, Operations and Risk Management Officer. In 2017, he was named President and CEO of Honda Canada, Inc.
New President of Honda Canada, Inc.
Jean Marc Leclerc, Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing of Honda Canada, Inc., will become President and CEO of Honda Canada, Inc. effective May 1, 2020.
As Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing, Jean Marc Leclerc is responsible for all sales, marketing, and support functions for all brands within the Honda Canada portfolio including automotive, motorcycle and power equipment divisions. Leclerc also is a member of Honda Canada’s Company Operating Committee.
He joined the Honda team as Central and Atlantic Zone Manager for Acura in 1995. He has served as both Assistant Vice President of Marketing and Assistant Vice President of Honda’s Motorcycle Division. He also served as Vice President, Risk Management Officer and Secretary at Honda Canada Finance Inc., where he was responsible for the sales, marketing and customer service functions of Honda’s financial product offerings.
About Honda Canada Inc.
Honda Canada Inc. (HCI) was founded in 1969 and is the parent company for both Honda and Acura vehicle brands in Canada. The company has produced more than nine million cars and light trucks since 1986 at its two manufacturing facilities and builds engines at a third manufacturing plant in Alliston, Ontario. Both manufacturing facilities are extremely flexible and currently build Honda Civic and CR-V models. Honda Canada has invested more than $4.7 billion in Canada and each year it sources nearly $2.1 billion in goods and services from Canadian suppliers. Honda Canada has sold more than five million Honda and Acura passenger cars and light trucks in Canada. For more information on Honda Canada, please visit www.hondacanada.ca.
