1. The Humble Beginnings of Honda
Honda is one of the most recognizable brands today, it started from humble beginnings. Honda was named after its founder, Soichiro Honda who initially ran a small motorcycle repair shop in Japan. His passion and natural talent for engineering brought Honda Motor Co. Ltd to life in 1948.
2. Assisting in the War Response
Honda played a crucial role in Japan’s post-World War II recovery. Amidst the war-stricken nation, Honda began by recycling radio generator engines and attaching them to bicycles to provide affordable and efficient transportation, effectively contributing to the country's war recovery efforts.
3. Champion of Fuel Efficiency
During the Oil Crisis in the 1970s, Honda established itself as a champion of fuel efficiency. The Honda Civic was the first vehicle to meet the United States Clean Air Act without the use of a Catalytic Converter, making it one of the most fuel-efficient cars on the market.
4. The Motorcycle Giant
While Honda is commonly associated with cars, it is actually the largest motorcycle manufacturer globally since 1959. Both their motorcycles and automotives alike are widely renowned for their excellence in performance and durability.
5. Pioneers of Safety Standards
Honda was the first car manufacturer to willingly test their cars for crashworthiness in the 1970s. They are also the first car manufacturer to introduce airbag systems into their products, setting a new standard in car safety.
6. The “Power of Dreams”
While many know Honda by its high-quality, dependable vehicles, fewer know them by their corporate motto: "The Power of Dreams." This motto embodies Honda's commitment to inventive thinking, innovative design, and the continual push for advancement.
7. First Japanese car in the U.S
The Honda Accord holds the honor of being the first Japanese car to be produced in the United States. It started rolling off the assembly line in 1982, at the brand's Marysville, Ohio plant.
8. High Resale Value
According to Kellogs Blue Book's annual Best Resale Value Awards, Honda vehicles hold their value better than any other automotive brand. This makes Honda cars not only a good immediate purchase but also an excellent investment.
9. The Asimo Robot
Honda is more than cars and motorcycles; they also dabble in robotics. In 2000, they introduced Asimo, a humanoid robot capable of recognizing moving objects, postures, gestures, its surroundings, sounds and faces, indicating the brand's technological prowess.
10. Fastest Lawnmower in the World
Honda holds the Guinness Record for "Fastest Speed for a Lawnmower", reaching speeds of 116.57mph courtesy of their "Mean Mower", proving Honda's engineering brilliance extends beyond road vehicles.
11. Domination on Four and Two Wheels
Honda is the only company to have won World Championships in both motorcycle and Formula One racing. They dominated the former for several years and won their first Constructor's Championship in the latter in 1987.
12. Committed to the Environment
In its pursuits toward a more sustainable future, Honda was the first auto brand to introduce a hybrid vehicle to the North American market, the Honda Insight, in 1999.
13. Reliability is Key
Honda vehicles are renowned for their reliability. According to a study conducted by Mojo Motors, the top 10 cars on the road with over 200K miles are all Hondas.
14. Empowered Women
Yoko Ando was the first female engineer who worked in the motorcycle research and development department at Honda. Her work directly contributed to the creation of several iconic Honda motorcycle models.
15. All-Around Vehicles
Honda's lineup extends to vehicles used in open waters and snow. In addition to motorcycles and cars, Honda also manufactures marine engines, snowmobiles, and all-terrain vehicles.
16. Standout in Formula One
Honda is the only engine manufacturer that achieved a perfect season in Formula One, winning all 15 races in 1988 and setting two records that still stand today.
17. The HondaJet
Not limiting itself to land and water, Honda has also ventured into the skies with the HondaJet. It is a light business jet designed to make private aviation more efficient and comfortable.
18. Commitment to Education
Honda is also committed to education. The Honda Foundation, founded in 1977, promotes technology and ecological initiatives, as well as supports the youth through various scholarship programs and educational grants.
19. Evolution of the Logo
The Honda logo has evolved over the years, with the current version launched in 1990: it is a stylized "H" which represents the brand's unwavering commitment to "The Power of Dreams".
20. Master of Different Trades
Beyond automobiles and motorcycles, Honda also manufactures power equipment like lawnmowers, tillers, string trimmers, snow blowers, generators and pumps, proving the brand's versatility in engineering and its commitment to making life easier.
From its inception to its ventures into robotics and its champion commitment to the environment, Honda continually excels at turning dreams into reality, embodying their corporate motto and truly highlighting the "Power of Dreams."