Tadashi Kume


Tadashi Kume is the Japanese former president and CEO of the Honda Motor Co., Ltd.

Career

Tadashi Kume joined Honda in 1954, eventually becoming Honda's 3rd president in 1983. He specialized in designing engines, and, along with other engineers, helped develop the fuel-efficient CVCC. 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. He retired in June 1990, and was succeeded by Nobuhiko Kawamoto. Kume is currently honored in the Japan Automotive Hall of Fame