fbpx

Kawasaki Motors Corp. U.S.A Appoints New President

Naoki Kawaguchi most recently served as the executive vice president, four-wheel business.

Kawasaki Motors Corp. U.S.A. welcomed Naoki Kawaguchi to the role of president effective immediately. Kawaguchi has a long history with Kawasaki, most recently serving as the executive vice president, four-wheel business at Kawasaki Motors Corp. U.S.A., where he oversaw continued sales growth and the highly successful launches of both the Kawasaki Teryx KRX4 1000 and Kawasaki RIDGE side-by-side vehicles.

Kawaguchi started with Kawasaki 30 years ago as an engineer and has built a diverse background in a variety of roles, including vice president (factory manager) at Kawasaki Motors Enterprise Co., LTD in Thailand, various roles within marketing and sales as well as business planning divisions with Kawasaki Motors, LTD in Japan and president of Kawasaki Motores do Brazil Ltda. all prior to coming to the U.S. in 2022.

After leading Kawasaki’s U.S. operations through a global pandemic and helping the company achieve record retail sales, Eigo Konya will return to Kawasaki Motors, LTD. in Japan where he will serve as deputy general manager of sales and marketing, senior manager of sales planning division and manager of accessories section.

“This is a very exciting time for Kawasaki,” said Kawaguchi. “My time dedicated to growing our four-wheel business culminated with the successful launch of the Kawasaki RIDGE, and we have big goals to continue to grow our side-by-side business along with building on our successful two-wheel and Jet Ski heritage. Kawasaki is fortunate to have the best dealer network in the industry, and the future is looking very bright.”

You May Also Like

Honda to Support MotoAmerica Mini Cup

The youth-focused championship is open to riders of Groms and some CRF-F models.

2024 MotoAmerican Mini Cup Honda Grom

Following American Honda's recent announcement that it is offering the powersports industry's most generous contingency payouts for MotoAmerica's Superbike and Stock 1000 classes, the company revealed that it is supporting MotoAmerica's Mission Mini Cup, for which it is now an official supporting manufacturer. Touted by MotoAmerica as the first step in a process that could lead talented young racers to eventually reach elite levels of competition, the Mini Cup offers an opportunity for Red Riders to push themselves on challenging kart tracks, riding Honda miniMOTO models, including the Grom, CRF110F, CRF50F and more.

Rekluse Team Names Randy Mullinix Product Manager

Mullinix comes with a tenure of two decades at leading OEMs.

Randy Mullinix
Turn 14 Powersports Names Matthew Sturdevant as Director of Brand Management

Sturdevant will oversee the company’s 12 brands.

Matt Sturdevant
Segway Powersports Adds 2 Regional Business Managers and Field Marketing Manager

Shea Fouchek and Stephen Schoen will fill regional business manager roles, with Jake McGeorge tapped for the new field marketing manager position.

Steve Schoen, Shea Fouchek, Jake McGeorge
Dave McMahon Named Interim Executive Director of the NPDA    

The newest member of the team has been moved into the top spot.

Dave McMahon

Other Posts

Turn 14 Distribution Adds Gaerne to the Line Card

Gaerne is an Italian motorcycle footwear brand.

Turn 14 Distribution, Gaerne boots
Royal Enfield Introduces Global Rentals and Tours

The rental program extends to 60-plus destinations.

Segway Powersports and Octane Shift Gears With Strategic Financing Partnership

Effective, April 1, 2024, prime and non-prime consumers are eligible for financing on Segway’s entire range.

Octane, Segway Powersports
2024 Harley-Davidson Homecoming Festival Kicks Off in 100 Days

Tickets are on sale for Veterans Park headliners Red Hot Chili Peppers, Jelly Roll and HARDY.

Nitro Circus, Harley-Davidson Homecoming