Learn About the Honda Motor Company

Honda Motor Company is a Japanese corporation mainly known for manufacturing automobiles, motorcycles, aircraft, and power equipment. They are known for the quality of their vehicles, and people all over the world enjoy their vehicles. Here’s what you should know about the Honda Motor Company, including its history:

History of the Honda Motor Company

Soichiro Honda got his start working on vehicles as a child and entering vehicles in races. When he was 15, he quit school and began working for an auto servicing company, Tokyo Art Shokai. His first company, Tokai Sieki, produced piston rings for Toyota. The contract for this job was lost as the pistons were not up to standard.

Soichiro would create an automated press that would create better pistons and his company would produce them for Toyota until his factory was destroyed by an American bomber in 1944. Honda Motor Company was established in 1948 by Soichiro Honda and Takeo Fujisawa. In 1949 they would introduce their first original product, which was a D-type motorcycle that Soichiro Honda named “Dream.”

By 1964 Honda had become the world’s largest motorcycle manufacturer. In 1959 Honda would open its first overseas subsidiary in Los Angeles, California. The next few decades would bring expansion to the Honda company. This would include more products and more exports to countries around the world. Honda was so invested in his company that he would personally test all motorcycles and automobiles to make sure they were up to standard.

Honda Motor Company’s Vehicles

In 1969, the Honda Motor Company would introduce its 4-cylinder Honda CB750, which would prove to be a sophisticated motorcycle. In 2012, the CB750 would be named the motorcycle of the century. The first automobile produced by Honda would be the T360 in 1963. The T360 was a mini pick-up truck, which was powered by a small 356-cc 4-straight gasoline engine. The first car produced by Honda would be a sports car. The S500 was also released in 1963. This car would use a four-speed manual transmission with chain drive at the rear wheels.

Another car, the S360, was unveiled in 1962 but would not end up being put into production. It was one of the first automobiles created by Honda. The first Accord, a hatchback, would make its appearance in 1976. In 1986 Honda would launch its luxury vehicle, the Acura. In 1987 the Honda Prelude would become the first four-wheel drive car.. In late 1999 Honda would introduce the first hybrid vehicle to the United States.

Awards Won by the Honda Motor Company

The 2017 Ridgeline, Pilot, and CR-V were all awarded the 2017 IIHS (Insurance Institute for Highway Safety) Top Safety Pick+. These cars are equipped with Honda Sensing and LED Lights. The 2017 Accord Hybrid was awarded the IIHS Top Safety Pick+ for its impressive crash safety performance. The 2017 Accord, Civic, Ridgeline, Fit, Odyssey, and HR-V were all given top marks with 5-Star Overall Vehicle Scores from the NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration).

From the beginning, the Honda Motor Company has strived for safety and reducing their environmental footprint. It’s a company that continues to get better with time.