19. Takanobu Ito
Company: Honda Motor
Country: Japan
Title: CEO and president
Age: 57
A rebound in U.S. car sales should help Honda CEO Ito offset some production-related challenges caused by the earthquake and tsunami in Japan in March. The company has said it expects 2010 auto sales in the States to rise almost 10%. The company is also optimistic about motorcycle sales in emerging markets. As Ito, who was named CEO in 2009, guides Japan's No. 2 automaker, observers expect him to place a strong premium on innovation: After all, he got his start at Honda as an engineer in R&D operations. Later in his career he moved to the U.S., where he played a key role in the development of Acura's first SUV.
-- S.M.
NEXT: 20. Masayoshi Son
Last updated April 19 2011: 5:21 AM ET
