Honda named a new chief executive for the automaker on Friday in Toshihiro Mibe. Mibe ascends to the CEO position from his current role as Senior Managing Director and President of R&D, but the Honda veteran has big time humble roots in research and development. Specifically, Mibe joined Honda in 1987 and spent most of his career in vehicle and engine R&D. We all know Honda’s glory days came from astute engineering and breakthroughs, so this move has the Roadshow staff a wee bit excited.

Mibe’s naming comes as current CEO Takahiro Hachigo steps down, effective April 1. During his six-year tenure, he laid out an electrified vision for the automaker and booked a sweeping North American alliance with General Motors to develop future electric cars, fuel cell powertrains and autonomous vehicle technologies.
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