Honda: Its Past, Present, and Future

Honda Motor Company, Ltd. of Japan began with one man – Soichiro Honda. He started out as a mechanic in a tuning shop, but soon taught himself engineering and began making piston designs. When he couldn’t compete with formally-trained engineers, he entered school and perfected his skills. He designed a car, but World War II’s gasoline shortages made it impossible for him to drive it. To solve this dilemma, he put a small engine on his bicycle. When people saw his motorized bike and wanted one for themselves, Honda’s company was born.

By 1964, Honda became the world’s largest maker of motorcycles, and a year prior, in 1963, the company produced its first production automobile. Instead of a car, he made the T360 mini pick-up truck, which was taxed under a more affordable classification. The company’s first true car was the S500 sports car, which followed soon after the pick-up.

Currently, the Honda Motor Company makes several models of cars and has factories in many nations. The United States, China, Canada, Brazil, and Japan are just a few of the nations that host Honda plants. The company also has joint ventures in countries like Pakistan, India, and China. In 2008, the company posted a 1% sales increase as many of its rivals posted double-digit losses. This was made possible in part by the fact that Honda factories are made so that retooling them is easy. This allows the company to quickly shift production from one model to another as market demand shifts.

Honda’s current products still include motorcycles and cars, but the company is also known for its small power equipment like lawnmowers and hedge trimmers. In 2010, they sold 4.7 million of these units. Other product types produced by Honda include aircraft engines, mountain bikes, and solar cells. The company also has a robotics research division. While this division has yet to produce anything for the mass market, its experimental robots like the ASIMO have gained international attention. It’s likely that the company will eventually produce some groundbreaking products in this area.

Due to their continued innovation and their flexibility to respond to changes in the marketplace, the Honda Motor Company is expected to remain a major player in their traditional industries. The company is also likely to enjoy success in their newer divisions and product lines. They’re a solid player in the mid-priced niche of their business areas and should continue to be a respected name in the motor industry for years.