New Honda Exec

Maybe the new exec can turn things around, though the probably is the economy more than personnel.

Honda N. American sales exec Colliver steps down (AP) American Honda Motor Co. said Tuesday John Mendel will take over the automaker's top North American executive position, replacing Richard Colliver as executive vice president of auto sales.

Colliver, who joined Honda in 1993 as senior VP of the Honda Automobile division and who has led the Honda and Acura divisions for more than a decade, will become a senior adviser to the company. He will provide strategic counsel and support to American Honda's dealer body and management team.

Mendel joined Honda in 2004 and has been executive vice president of auto operations since 2007. He will be succeeded in that post by Takashi Sekiguchi, who has served as executive vice president of corporate affairs and product planning since 2008.