Honda Motor Co., Ltd. is a Japanese multinational corporation that manufactures automobiles, motorcycles, and power equipment, founded by Soichiro Honda in October 1946[1]. The company maintains its global headquarters in Minato, Tokyo, and stands as the world’s largest motorcycle manufacturer since 1959[1].
Origins and Early Growth
Soichiro Honda started his automotive journey as a mechanic at Art Shokai garage, where he refined his skills tuning cars and participating in races[1]. In 1937, he established Tōkai Seiki to manufacture piston rings, eventually winning and losing a contract with Toyota due to quality issues[1]. After WWII, Honda sold the remains of his company to Toyota and used the proceeds to found the Honda Technical Research Institute in 1946[1].
Global Manufacturing Empire
Honda’s manufacturing footprint spans the globe with assembly plants in:
- North America (United States, Canada, Mexico)
- Asia (Japan, China, India, Pakistan, Thailand)
- Europe (UK, Belgium, Turkey)
- South America (Brazil, Argentina, Peru)[1]
By 2010, 89% of Honda and Acura vehicles sold in the United States came from North American plants[1].
Innovation Leadership
Automotive Breakthroughs
Honda pioneered several automotive innovations:
- First Japanese manufacturer to launch a luxury brand (Acura) in 1986
- Created the first all-aluminum monocoque vehicle with the NSX supercar
- Developed the VTEC variable valve timing technology[1]
Environmental Technology
Honda’s commitment to environmental innovation shows in its achievements:
- Produced the Honda Insight, one of the first hybrid cars in the US market
- Developed the FCX Clarity, a hydrogen fuel cell vehicle
- Created five of the EPA’s top ten most fuel-efficient cars from 1984 to 2010[1]
Research and Development
Honda invests heavily in R&D, spending 5.7% of its revenues ($6.8 billion) in 2013[1]. The company’s innovation extends beyond vehicles to include:
- ASIMO humanoid robot development
- HondaJet aircraft technology
- Power equipment and marine engines[1]
Recent Developments
Honda continues to evolve with modern automotive trends:
- Partnered with Sony to develop electric vehicles under the “Afeela” brand
- Announced plans for level 3 self-driving technology
- Formed an alliance with General Motors for hydrogen fuel cell development[1]
Corporate Performance
For fiscal year 2018, Honda reported:
- Revenue: $138.250 billion
- Net earnings: $9.534 billion
- Market capitalization: $50.4 billion
- Global workforce: 215,638 employees[1]
Citations:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Honda
Honda Motor Co., Ltd. (Japanese: 本田技研工業株式会社, Hepburn: Honda Giken Kōgyō Kabushiki gaisha, lit. 'Honda Institute of Technology and Industry Joint-Stock Company',IPA: [honda] ⓘ; /ˈhɒndə/) is a Japanese multinational conglomerate automotive manufacturer headquartered in Minato, Tokyo, Japan.
 Logo since 2000 | |
 Headquarters in Minato, Tokyo | |
Native name | 本田技研工業株式会社 |
|---|---|
Romanized name | Honda Giken Kōgyō Kabushiki-gaisha |
| Company type | Public |
| Industry | Manufacturing |
| Founded | Hamamatsu, Japan (October 1946, incorporated 24 September 1948) |
| Founder | Soichiro Honda |
| Headquarters | , Japan |
Area served | Worldwide |
Key people | |
| Products | |
| Revenue |  ¥14.95 trillion (2022) |
| ¥871.2 billion (2022) | |
| ¥707.0 billion (2022) | |
| Total assets | ¥23.97 trillion (2022) |
| Total equity | ¥10.77 trillion (2022) |
| Owners |
|
Number of employees | |
| Divisions | |
| Subsidiaries | |
| Website | global.honda |
Founded in October 1946 by Soichiro Honda, Honda has been the world's largest motorcycle manufacturer since 1959, reaching a production of 400 million by 19 December 2019. It is also the world's largest manufacturer of internal combustion engines measured by volume, producing more than 14 million internal combustion engines each year. Honda became the second-largest Japanese automobile manufacturer in 2001. In 2015, Honda was the eighth largest automobile manufacturer in the world.
Honda was the first Japanese automobile manufacturer to release a dedicated luxury brand, Acura, on 27 March 1986. Aside from their core automobile and motorcycle businesses, Honda also manufactures garden equipment, marine engines, personal watercraft, power generators, and other products. Since 1986, Honda has been involved with artificial intelligence/robotics research and released their ASIMO robot in 2000. They have also ventured into aerospace with the establishment of GE Honda Aero Engines in 2004 and the Honda HA-420 HondaJet, which began production in 2012. Honda has two joint-ventures in China: Dongfeng Honda and GAC Honda.
In 2013, Honda invested about 5.7% (US$6.8 billion) of its revenues into research and development. Also in 2013, Honda became the first Japanese automaker to be a net exporter from the United States, exporting 108,705 Honda and Acura models, while importing only 88,357.