Jon Ikeda
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Jon Ikeda | |
|---|---|
| Born | July 31, 1965 Tokyo, Japan |
| Nationality | American |
| Alma mater | Art Center College of Design |
| Occupation(s) | Senior Vice President, Honda Racing Corporation USA |
| Known for | Design of Acura TL (UA6/UA7) |
Jon Ikeda (born July 31, 1965) is an American automobile designer and executive. He currently serves as senior vice president of Honda Racing Corporation USA.[1] He previously served as vice president and brand officer of Acura.[1][2]
Early life and education
[edit]Ikeda, a Japanese American born in Tokyo, immigrated to the United States in 1978, and grew up in Glendale and Pasadena, California.[3][4][2] In 1989, he graduated from the Art Center College of Design in Pasadena, with a Bachelor of Science in industrial design.[5][1]
Career
[edit]In fall 1989, Ikeda was hired by Honda, working at the automaker's advanced design studio in Tokyo.[1] While in Japan, he contributed to the design of the award-winning 1991 Honda FS-X concept, as well as the first generation Acura RL.[1][5]
In 1995, he was relocated to Honda R&D Americas.[5] Upon returning to the United States, he was named design project leader of the 2001 Honda Civic coupe, and was lead designer of the 2004 Acura TL, the best-selling Acura model of all time.[1][5] In his role as chief designer and division director, Ikeda was instrumental in the construction of the Acura Design Studio in 2007.[5]
In July 2015, Ikeda was promoted to vice president and general manager of Acura.[3] In his new role, he was credited with reinvigorating the Acura brand with a renewed focus on design.[5]
On April 1, 2019, he was named brand officer of Acura.[1]
In April 2024, he was named senior vice president of Honda Racing Corporation USA.[1]
References
[edit]- ^ a b c d e f g h "Media Newsroom – Jon Ikeda". American Honda Motor Company. Retrieved April 22, 2024.
- ^ a b "New Grand Prix Title Sponsor Acura Seeks To Reenergize Its Brand And The Race". Long Beach Business Journal. 8 April 2019. Retrieved August 27, 2021.
- ^ a b "A designer boss may be just what Acura needs". Automotive News. 31 July 2015. Retrieved August 27, 2021.
- ^ "The InEVitable Podcast Episode 46: Jon Ikeda, Car Designer and Vice President of Acura". Motor Trend. June 1, 2023. Retrieved November 12, 2023.
- ^ a b c d e f "Behind the Scenes at the Acura Design Studio". Core77.com. Retrieved August 27, 2021.
- 1965 births
- Living people
- Acura
- American automobile designers
- American businesspeople
- ArtCenter College of Design alumni
- Corporate executives in the automobile industry
- Designers from Tokyo
- Honda people
- Japanese emigrants to the United States
- People from Glendale, California
- Businesspeople from Pasadena, California