Honda: Know All About Honda

Honda Motor Co., Ltd., commonly known as Honda, is a Japanese multinational conglomerate renowned for its manufacturing excellence across several sectors. Founded in October 1946 by Soichiro Honda in Hamamatsu and incorporated in September 1948, the company is headquartered in Minato, Tokyo. Under the leadership of chairman, president, and CEO Toshihiro Mibe, Honda has grown into a global powerhouse in the automotive and motorcycle industries, with operations spanning more than 150 countries. Listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange and as a component of the Nikkei 225, Honda remains a key player in the worldwide manufacturing landscape.

Honda’s journey from a small motorcycle shop to a global industrial leader is marked by significant milestones. Since beginning motorcycle production in 1949, Honda became the world’s largest motorcycle manufacturer in 1959, later producing its 400 millionth bike by December 2019. The company also leads the world in internal combustion engine manufacturing, producing over 14 million units each year. In 2001, Honda rose to become the second-largest Japanese automobile manufacturer, and by 2015 it was ranked as the eighth-largest automaker worldwide. The enduring success of the legendary Honda Super Cub highlights the brand’s cultural impact and engineering prowess.

Honda’s diverse product portfolio extends far beyond two- and four-wheeled vehicles. In addition to its flagship Honda and luxury Acura automobiles, the company offers a range of motorcycles and scooters tailored to markets across Asia, Europe, and the Americas. Honda’s power products division manufactures generators, water pumps, lawn and garden equipment, and other versatile engines that serve both consumer and commercial needs. The company also explores cutting-edge fields such as robotics, aviation, renewable energy technologies like thin-film solar cells, and telematics systems like Internavi, underscoring the brand’s commitment to pioneering innovation.

Honda structures its business into four primary segments, with the automobile division accounting for roughly two-thirds of its revenue. In the fiscal year 2024, automobiles represented 66.4 % of Honda’s sales, followed by financial services at 15.9 %, motorcycle operations at 15.8 %, and power products plus other ventures at 1.9 %. This balanced portfolio allows Honda to capitalize on stable automotive earnings while leveraging growth in financing and mobility services. The company’s financial strength and diversified revenue streams have supported sustained investment in research, development, and global expansion initiatives.

With assembly plants across Asia, the Americas, Europe, and beyond, Honda maintains a robust global manufacturing footprint. Major automobile production facilities are in Japan, the United States, Canada, Mexico, the United Kingdom, Belgium, Brazil, China, India, Thailand, and Indonesia. American Honda, based in Torrance, California, oversees automotive, powersports, and power equipment operations in North America. Regional subsidiaries like Honda Canada and Honda Taiwan cater to local market demands, ensuring that approximately 89 % of Honda and Acura vehicles sold in the U.S. come from North American plants, a strategy that mitigates currency risks and streamlines logistics.

Innovation and collaboration lie at the heart of Honda’s growth strategy. The successful introduction of the HondaJet, with first deliveries in 2015, marked Honda’s entry into the aviation sector, blending advanced aerodynamics with efficient jet engines. In 2022, Honda partnered with Sony to form Sony Honda Mobility, aiming to deliver the Afeela electric vehicle and strengthen its foothold in the EV market. Additionally, a joint venture with General Motors targets production of hydrogen fuel cell systems, underscoring Honda’s pursuit of alternative propulsion technologies and sustainable mobility.

Honda has committed to achieving carbon neutrality for all products and corporate activities by 2050. The company aims for 100 % electrification of new vehicle sales by 2040, accelerating its transition away from internal combustion engines. Through initiatives like expanding renewable energy use in manufacturing, collaborating with suppliers to reduce emissions across the value chain, and pioneering fuel cell and battery technologies, Honda strives to balance performance, affordability, and environmental responsibility, ensuring sustainable mobility solutions for future generations.