Honda

Lore & Background

During World War II, Tōkai Seiki was placed under government control, and Toyota took a 40% stake. With a staff of 12 in a small shack, Honda built motorized bicycles using war-surplus engines. When those ran out, they built their own copy, the Honda A-Type. That same year, Honda hired Kihachiro Kawashima and Takeo Fujisawa, whose business expertise complemented Soichiro Honda's technical skills.

Reader's Guide

Honda's significance lies in its transformation from a small postwar workshop into a global industrial powerhouse. The Honda Super Cub, the most produced motor vehicle in history, exemplifies its mass-market reach. Its ventures into aerospace, including the HondaJet and GE Honda Aero Engines, demonstrate diversification beyond automobiles. In 2013, Honda became the first Japanese automaker to be a net exporter from the United States. The company's legacy includes a strong focus on research and development, investing about 5.7% of revenues in 2013, and a history of adapting to market shifts, such as the 1990s pivot to recreational vehicles under CEO Nobuhiko Kawamoto. Honda's joint ventures in China and alliances, such as with Sony in 2022 for electric vehicles, continue to shape its global footprint.

Did You Know?

• The Honda Super Cub is the most produced motor vehicle in history.
• In 2013, Honda became the first Japanese automaker to be a net exporter from the United States.