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Honda Canada CEO and President Jerry Chenkin Announces Retirement

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2016 Honda Civic named 2016 Canadian Car of the Year by AJAC

Honda Canada President Jerry Chenkin accepts the 2016 AJAC Car of the Year award

Today Honda Canada President and CEO Jerry Chenkin announced his intent to retire after a successful four-decade career with the automotive company. Chenkin will remain in his role until being replaced by fellow Honda Canada veteran Dave Gardner on March 31, 2017.

After emigrating from London to Canada in 1975, Chenkin began his career in Honda’s accounting department, at a time when Honda Canada was merely an importer of motorcycles and the first-generation Civic. Chenkin’s rise to CEO parallels the company’s own ascendancy, with Honda Canada becoming a global manufacturing powerhouse and builder of Canada’s top-selling passenger vehicle, the Honda Civic, for 19 years running.

“I feel very fortunate to have spent my entire career at Honda and I will look back on my time as a rewarding experience filled with many memories and lasting relationships,” said Chenkin. “I’ve had the distinct pleasure of working with and learning from many dedicated Associates and Dealers who have helped shape the person I am today. I’m proud of what we’ve all achieved together and I know the journey ahead will be just as exciting as the one we’ve travelled together.”
Chenkin was named President and CEO of Honda in 2013, marking the first time in the company’s history that a Canadian had been chosen to lead the company. During the past four years, Chenkin oversaw manufacturing investments totaling more than $1.3 billion, and enjoyed several sales records during his tenure.

“Our achievements are the result of the hard work and dedication of the associates at Honda Canada, Honda of Canada Manufacturing and our Dealerships across the country,” Chenkin added. “I provided direction and guidance and our people did the rest. I am so fortunate to have had this amazing life experience”

The company will remain under Canadian leadership, with Dave Gardner set to succeed Mr. Chenkin as President and CEO of Honda Canada Inc. Gardner has ben with Honda Canada since February 1989, and has held many roles within the company, including his current position as Senior Vice President, Operations and Risk Management Officer.

“I’ve had the honour of working with Jerry my entire Honda career and I know I speak for all of us here when I say thank you and good luck with the next chapter in your life,” said Dave Gardner. “Jerry has expertly led this company and I look forward to continuing with the work he started. We have always held true to our core philosophy – to be a company that Canadians want to exist—and my goal is to ensure we remain on that path.”