TORRANCE, Calif. -

Along with recall details on its Odyssey and Pilot, Honda revealed several changes in its U.S. executive ranks on Wednesday, moves the OEM insisted are designed to strengthen its North American regional operations to further speed decision-making and increase efficiency and competitiveness within the region.

The automaker indicated Tetsuo Iwamura, president of American Honda Motor Co., chief operating officer of North American Regional Operations and a senior managing officer of Honda Motor Co., will be promoted concurrently to executive vice president and executive officer, effective April 1.

Officials pointed out Iwamura will remain as president and retain all his responsibilities as head of American Honda and Honda’s North American region. They noted his appointment to the board as representative director of Honda Motor Co. will be pending approval at the company’s annual shareholder’s meeting in June.

Meanwhile, the OEM announced Erik Berkman will become president of Honda R&D Americas (HRA) with major centers in Ohio, California, North Carolina and elsewhere in North America, effective April 1.

The company said Berkman will be responsible for all design and product development. Since 1991, Honda R&D has fully developed more than 20 Honda and Acura models in the U.S. Berkman joined Honda in 1982 and worked at HRA from 1991–2008 where he led the development of a number of leading Honda and Acura products.

Berkman is currently vice president of corporate planning and logistics for the automobile operations division of American Honda Motor Co., and president of Honda Performance Development (HPD), Honda’s racing company in North America.

The manufacturer stated Berkman will succeed Hiroshi Takemura who will return to Japan as deputy director of automobile operations.

Furthermore, Honda indicated Art St. Cyr will succeed Berkman as vice president of corporate planning and logistics for the automobile operations division of American Honda Motor Co., and president of HPD on April 1.

St. Cyr is currently chief engineer and led the development of the all-new 2011 Odyssey at Honda R&D Americas Ohio Center.

In other personnel moves, Honda revealed Brian Newman will become president of Honda South Carolina Manufacturing (HSC) in Timmonsville, S.C., where the company produces all-terrain vehicles.

Newman, who has been with Honda for 32 years including 21 years with Honda of America Manufacturing (HAM) in Ohio, is currently senior vice president of HSC.

Finally, Charles Ernst has been named chief engineer of the powertrain function at the North American Engineering Center at HAM where he will be responsible for expanding Honda’s new engine technologies for its North American operations.

The company recapped Ernst joined Honda in 1985 working at the HAM Anna Engine Plant, in Anna, Ohio.  He is currently senior vice president at Honda Manufacturing of Alabama responsible for engine and vehicle manufacturing operations.

Honda Recalls

In other automaker news, Honda announced it will voluntarily recall approximately 45,800 Odyssey EX-L and Touring vehicles from the 2008 and 2009 model years in the United States to replace the two power tailgate struts.

The OEM explained the gas-filled struts that help to raise and support the tailgate of vehicles equipped with a power tailgate system may be prone to early life failures.

Officials fear a strut failure may result in the tailgate closing under its own power — possibly unexpectedly — with the potential risk of injury and inconvenience to users.

Honda acknowledged two injuries have been reported related to this issue.

Furthermore, the OEM also revealed it will voluntarily recall approximately 8,700 model-year 2012 Honda Pilot and Acura MDX vehicles in the United States to inspect and, if necessary, replace the fuel tank.

Officials explained the vent shut float (VSF) valve case, a component of the emissions-related on-board fuel vapor recovery system mounted inside the fuel tank, could detach from its mounting inside of the tank due to an incorrect VSF case material.

Honda acknowledged a detached VSF case may result in fuel overflowing from the fuel tank or possibly a fuel leak, which increases the risk of fire.

The OEM stressed no fires or injuries have been reported related to this issue, which was identified during internal production testing by the part supplier.

The automaker indicated mailed notification to vehicle owners about each recall will begin in during the middle of next month. Honda is encouraging owners of all affected vehicles to take their units to an authorized franchised dealer as soon as they receive notification of this recall from Honda.

In addition to contacting customers by mail, owners of these vehicles can determine if their vehicles require repair by going online to www.recalls.honda.com or by calling (800) 999-1009 and selecting option No. 4.