World of Honda

The power of dreams

Our founder, Soichiro Honda, was always dreaming of the future. Usually while he was creating it. The dream started when Soichiro first saw a car. He dedicated the rest of his life to making it a reality.

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Honda logo.

Building the dream

Soichiro Honda was a hands-on creative. “I think best when I have a wrench in my hands.”

Two wheels good

The very first Honda original.

Soichiro Honda learnt his trade making components. He learnt fast and his company thrived but it was destroyed during the Second World War so he had to start again. This time, he dreamt big. He created Honda’s first complete vehicle, the Type A motorcycle.

Based on a bicycle

Its engine was a converted power generator for a military radio transmitter. It was an instant sales success. When supplies of the generator ran out, Soichiro created his own engine. In 1948, the Honda Motor Co. Ltd was born. The dream was becoming a reality.

Side facing Honda Type A bicycle with a converted power generator.

People Power

The first Honda car.

By the 1960s, Honda was the world’s biggest motorcycle manufacturer. Customers now wanted more. Soichiro responded with a beautiful sports car prototype in 1962. It reached production, the following year, as the S500.

Driving on

Within two years, a new factory was needed, simply to keep up with demand. Soichiro's dream was blossoming and the Sixties were swinging.

Front three-quarter facing Honda S800.

The American Dream

Building and selling Honda worldwide.

A heritage shot of the The Honda Motor Co. in Los Angeles.

The American Honda Motor Co. Inc. was originally established to sell the Honda Super Cub. It soon became apparent that the USA was more the land of the automobile, than that of the motorcycle.

In 1959 Honda began selling overseas for the first time, setting up a base in Los Angeles. The Japanese newcomer was now an exporter. American Honda soon flourished, boosted by the classic 1960s advertising campaign, 'You meet the nicest people on a Honda'. (It's true...)

Moving to Europe

In 1962, Honda announced plans to build its first factory outside Japan, in Aalst, Belgium. It opened the following year, with Soichiro Honda himself jetting in for the opening ceremony. The Honda Motor Co. Ltd., was just 15 years old and already a global business.

 

An advertising slogan for the Honda Super Cub.

Our memorable advertising slogan helped boost sales of the iconic Honda Super Cub.

An American flag graphic made from the Honda Civic.

The Honda Civic was a nimble economical car that took America by storm. With new US emission regulations it was a big success competing against the gas-guzzlers of the time.

Dreams are made of this

NSX: the Honda supercar.

By the 1980s, Honda was an established global name. It set its horizons accordingly and decided to make a supercar but without the supercar drawbacks. “It’s the dream of every development engineer to create a sports car,” said the man in charge of the project, Shigeru Uehara.

Racing input

The project progressed through the 1980s as the ‘New Sportscar-eXperimental’ - The NSX. World champion racing driver Ayrton Senna gave input to the project and when it was revealed in 1989, reviewers were amazed. Honda’s dream supercar gave its rivals sleepless nights.

Front facing Honda NSX, studio shot.

The unmistakable NSX; a supercar in every sense.

Front three-quarter facing Honda NSX at sunset.

Strength and lightness: With a design inspired by the F-16 jet, the original NSX employed the world’s first all-aluminium-semi-monocoque body.

  • Front facing Honda Formula One Racing car.

    The Past

    We’re proud of our history. Read about how our founder Soichiro Honda made us who we are.

    Our past

  • Front facing Honda CR-V.

    The Present

    Learn about the world of Honda, our activities in Europe and what makes us tick.

    Our present

  • Front facing Honda BEV.

    The Future

    Where will our dreams take us next? See what the Hondas of tomorrow will look like.

    Our Future