Honda History

Honda is the company established in 1946 by Japanese engineer, inventor and auto racer – Soichiro Honda who was born in 1906. Honda Company in its modern conditions given its 50 year history came the result of audacious, inventive and non-standard approach and activities of Soichiro Honda. Born in poor family Soichiro unfinished school went to car repair shop in Tokyo as apprentice. Honda’s early autotransport affection was infected by his father’s specialty who was a smith dealing with bicycles repairing and hence instilled his son technical affairs knowledge.

In 1928 after Soichiro raised enough money came back to his town in the region of Hamamatsu and established car work shop there. The same year he gained his first of subsequently many patents as he suggested to swap wooden spokes in the wheel for metal ones. Soichiro Honda inventions brought him the reputation of the man who can find brilliantly simple solutions to complex problems. In 1937 he founded Tokai Seiki Heavy Industry and after in 1938 Honda devised piston ring his company commenced manufacturing the invention product.

In 1945, after the factory suffered seriously from WW II and earthquake, Soichiro Honda decided to sell Tokai Seiki to Toyota for 450 000 yens. Once Soichiro arranged engine to his bicycle and constructed hence a moped, then he made a dozen of them and handed to his friends. In 1946 Honda established Honda Technical Research Institute Company and in 1947 was constructed the first model in Honda history – product named A-type, a 2-stroke 50 cc engine.

Soon in 1948 another historical milestone happened – the company was renamed to Honda Motor Company and commenced motorcycles developing and manufacturing. The first motorcycle in Honda history was Dream model with 98 cc engine displacement manufactured in 1949. The same year another substantial event in Honda history as Takeo Fujisava joined the company. He is considered a deserved second father-founder of Honda company. Still there was a distinct separation of duties between Fujisava and Soichiro Honda: the first was responsible for corporate management and sales while Honda was dealing with production technologies.

In 1950 Honda company opened its office in Tokyo and purchased sew factory which was transformed into motorcycle manufacturing factory. Honda launches Dream Type D which was removed Dream Type-E in 1951. This new model had top speed of 70 km/h. In 1952 in Honda history came significant event as its prime office moved to Tokyo while in Saitama region the company set up Shirako plant; as well new Type F Cub engine was invented with 50 cc displacement and 1.2 h/p.1953 marked in Honda history by two more new plants, trade union establishing, Benly J-type model launch and labor suggestions receipt system.

The next 1954 year became the time of Juno K-type scooter launching and exporting to USA; Honda shares stock entered Tokyo exchange. As well Honda due to ...