Honda Motor Co., Ltd., commonly known as Honda, is a renowned Japanese multinational conglomerate and one of the most influential names in the global automotive and powersports industry. Headquartered in Minato, Tokyo, Honda was founded in October 1946 by Soichiro Honda and has since grown into a technological powerhouse with a diverse portfolio.
Since 1959, Honda has held the distinction of being the world’s largest motorcycle manufacturer, having produced over 500 million units as of May 2025. It also leads globally in internal combustion engine production, manufacturing more than 14 million engines annually.
By 2001, Honda had become Japan’s second-largest automobile manufacturer, and by 2015, it ranked as the eighth-largest automaker in the world.
With a firm commitment to innovation, Honda invested approximately 5.7% of its revenues (US$6.8 billion) into research and development in 2013. That same year, it became the first Japanese automaker to achieve net exporter status in the United States.
Honda’s global reach and forward-thinking ethos continue to drive its reputation as a leader in engineering excellence and sustainable mobility solutions.
Honda Motor Company History
1937
Soichiro Honda founded Tōkai Seiki (Eastern Sea Precision Machine Company) to produce piston rings.
1941
After studying Toyota's quality control methods, Tōkai Seiki began mass-producing piston rings for Toyota.
1944
A U.S. B-29 bombing raid destroyed Tōkai Seiki’s Yamashita plant during World War II.
1945
The Itawa plant was destroyed in the Mikawa earthquake. Soichiro Honda sold the remains of Tōkai Seiki to Toyota for ¥450,000.
1946
Soichiro Honda established the Honda Technical Research Institute in a 16 m² shack with 12 workers to build motorized bicycles using surplus war engines.
1947
Honda began producing its own engine copies after running out of Tohatsu engines. This resulted in the Honda A-Type, nicknamed “Bata Bata.”
1949
The Honda Technical Research Institute was dissolved for ¥1,000,000, which was used to incorporate Honda Motor Co., Ltd. In the same year, Honda began mass production of motorcycles in Japan in 1949 with the release of its first major motorcycle model, the Dream D-Type.
1960
As a relatively small manufacturer, Honda entered the U.S. motorcycle market. The company partnered with Grey Advertising, creating an innovative marketing campaign, using the slogan "You meet the nicest people on a Honda.", countering negative biker stereotypes and positioning motorcycles as mainstream products.
1961
Honda won its first Grand Prix races and World Championships in the 125 cc and 250 cc motorcycle categories.
1963
Entered automotive manufacturing with the T360 mini pick-up truck in August 1963. In October 1963, Honda introduced its second production car, the S500 sports car.
1964
Became the world's largest motorcycle manufacturer. In the same year, Honda entered Formula One for the first time.
1965
Achieved their first Formula One victory at the Mexican Grand Prix.
1969
The Honda 1300, a four-door air-cooled, four-cylinder sedan, was introduced, Honda's first four-door car, not the Accord
1980
Honda pushed technological innovation by offering anti-lock brakes, speed-sensitive power steering, and multi-port fuel injection, first as options, then as standard features.
1982
Reached its peak motorcycle production, manufacturing nearly three million units annually.
1986
Launched the Acura brand in the U.S. to enter the luxury vehicle market.
1991
The Honda NSX supercar debuted, featuring an aluminum monocoque and a V6 with variable valve timing.
1992
Shoichiro Irimajiri resigned due to health issues. Honda exited Formula One racing and began shifting focus toward market-driven development and environmentally friendly initiatives.
1997
Honda introduced the all-electric EV Plus in response to California’s CARB zero-emissions vehicle mandate. It was the first battery electric vehicle from a major automaker to use non–lead-acid batteries.
1998
Introduced the Civic GX, a factory-modified version of the Civic LX designed to run exclusively on compressed natural gas (CNG). It was the only purpose-built natural gas vehicle commercially available in parts of the U.S.
1999
Released its first hybrid electric vehicle, the Insight, in North America, the first hybrid sold in the U.S.
2000
Won their first championship title in the Super GT Series.
2006
Honda Aircraft Company was established to manufacture and sell the HondaJet.
2013
The Honda Accord Plug-in Hybrid was introduced with an all-electric range of 13 miles (21 km)..
2017
India surpassed other nations to become Honda’s largest motorcycle market. The company also captured a dominant 59% market share in India’s scooter segment.
2019
Honda became the first U.S. automaker to suspend factory production due to COVID-19. In September 2020, Honda and General Motors announced a North American alliance for shared vehicle platforms and R&D collaboration.
2021
Declared plans to be the first automaker to sell a car with Level 3 self-driving technology.
2022
Honda and Sony agreed to form a joint venture to develop electric vehicles, with Sony providing technology and Honda handling manufacturing.
2023
Honda and GM announced a plan to produce hydrogen fuel cell-powered vehicles and machinery on February 2. On March 15, Honda recalled 500,000 vehicles in the U.S. and Canada due to faulty seat belts in models like the CR-V, Accord, Odyssey, Insight, and Acura RDX. The company also issued a global recall of 4.5 million vehicles, including 2.54 million in the U.S., over persistent fuel pump failures.
2024
Honda officially announced a memorandum of understanding (MOU) had been signed to pursue a merger with fellow Japanese automaker Nissan, aiming to become the world’s third-largest auto company by sales.
2025
Honda and Nissan jointly announced that their boards had voted to end merger discussions in February 2025.