Honda Motor Company is one of the most successful and well-known automakers in the world.
Honda Motor Company was founded in 1946 by Soichiro Honda. At first, the company produced small motorcycles. However, Honda began to expand into other areas of the automotive industry in the '60s.
Honda Motor Company produced its first full-fledged motorcycle in 1949. The Japanese automaker released its first car, the Honda T360, in 1963. This car was a small pick-up truck that was designed for the Japanese market.
In this article, we will discuss 25 fascinating facts about Honda Motor Company. We are sure that you will find these facts interesting and informative!
History
The history of both the company and its founder is very interesting and encouraging. So, let's see some facts related to the inspiring journey behind Honda's success.
The founder of Honda Motor Company, Soichiro Honda, left school at the age of 15 to work as a mechanic for Tokyo Art Shokai in the year 1922.
After working as a mechanic in Tokyo for six years, the Japanese automaker returned to his hometown and started his own auto repair business.
Honda founded Tokai Seiki in 1937. It was a company that mainly produced piston rings for the car manufacturer, Toyota.
During World War II, bombs destroyed Honda's plants, forcing him to sell the remains of Tokai Seiki to Toyota.
In 1946, Honda again formed a group and founded Honda Technical Research Institute. It aimed to build motorized bikes and release them into the market.
In 1948, the success of Honda Technical Institute led to the foundation of Honda Motor Company.
Honda's first motorcycle arrived in 1949. It was a two-stroke vehicle with a 98cc engine. Initially, the vehicle was named 'Dream', and later it became popular under the name 'Moder D'.
After a decade the company became the largest manufacturer of motorized bikes in the world.
Honda became the second-largest manufacturer of cars in Japan in 2011. In the international competition, it holds seventh place after Toyota, General Motors, Ford, Hyundai, Nissan, and Volkswagen.
Popular Car And Bikes
Honda is best known for its popular cars and bikes. Some of Honda's most famous models include the Honda Accord, the Honda Civic, the Honda CR-V, and the Honda Gold Wing motorcycle.
Even though T360 came first, the Honda S500 is often considered as the first car of the company since the former one was a pick-up truck.
The first mass-marketed car from this company was the Honda S600.
Keeping the current context in mind (a fuel crisis in the country), the company manufactured the Honda Civic, a car with a fuel efficiency of 40 mi (64.37 km) per gallon (3.79 l).
In 1990, the company produced the Honda NSX. The car came with a mid-engine layout and became the fastest sports car at that time.
In 1986, with the production of the Acura, Honda became the first Japanese car manufacturer to come up with a dedicated luxury brand.
One of the most successful vehicles of the company is the Honda Accord. Since its launch in 1976, Honda has sold millions of vehicles all over the world.
Apart from bikes and cars, Honda has recently launched its first aircraft called the Honda HA-420 HondaJet.
Products Of Honda
Apart from cars and motorcycles, Honda also is a huge manufacturer of ATVs, watercraft, lawn equipment, mountain bikes, and solar cells.
The first one is combustion engines. Honda is the largest manufacturer of combustion engines in the world; every year the company makes over 14 million units of them.
Apart from being a mass manufacturer of vehicles, Honda is also known for shipping soybeans from the US to Japan.
In 2000, Honda built its first humanoid robot called ASIMO.
During the time period of 2002-2009, Honda manufactures a good number of watercraft under the brand name AquaTrax.
Honda is also a huge manufacturer of ATVs. The company has launched various models of these vehicles; some of them are Rubicon, Recon, Foreman, Rincon, and Rancher.
Finally, in 2004, the brand manufactured a mountain bike called Honda RN-01- G-Cross. Although it is no longer available in the market for purchase.
Technology
Honda Motor Company is famous for contriving outstanding technologies and using them in their vehicles to provide the customers with an exceptional experience.
Honda was the first company to develop the V-TEC technology.
In 2003, the company launched the Honda Civic Hybrid. The batteries of the vehicle were built in such a way that they could last as long as the vehicle's lifetime.
In the late '90s, Honda revolutionized the automobile industry by developing the Honda CR-V.
FAQs
Why is Honda so popular?
Since, its formation in 1948, the company has manufactured brilliant vehicles with advanced technologies. Moreover, the brand produces both high-end and mid-level vehicles. That's why it is so popular.
What was the first Honda?
Honda's first car was a pick-up truck called the Honda T360. In the same year, they also manufactured their first traditional car named the Honda S500.
Why is Honda the best?
The cars that Honda manufacture are fuel and power-efficient. They devise new technologies and incorporate them into the vehicles. That's why they are considered to be one of the best.
Does Honda outsource?
Honda is known for building the vehicles all by themselves. Moreover, there is not much evidence that suggests they outsource from other companies.
What is Honda's strategy?
Maintaining a global reputation by providing the highest quality products at a reasonable price has always been Honda's primary strategy.
What does Honda make besides cars?
Besides cars, Honda manufacture mountain bikes, aircraft, watercraft, ATVs, solar cells, lawn equipment, and humanoid robots.
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Bachelor of Arts specializing in English Language and Literature, Master of Arts specializing in English Language and Literature
Prasenjit DasBachelor of Arts specializing in English Language and Literature, Master of Arts specializing in English Language and Literature
Having obtained a Bachelor's degree in English language and literature from West Bengal State University - Barrackpore Rastraguru Surendranath College, followed by a Master's degree in English language and literature from Calcutta University, Prasenjit has several years of experience as a content writer, Prasenjit has mastered the art of producing cohesive and coherent copy. To further refine his skills and continuously challenge his creativity, Prasenjit successfully completed the "Introduction to Creative Writing Course" offered by British Council. Outside of his professional pursuits, Prasenjit finds inspiration in engaging in various creative activities, including writing poetry.
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