The company Motor Co., Ltd. was officially incorporated on September 24, 1948, by Soichiro Honda, a genial engineer and entrepreneur. Honda originated in Hamamatsu, Japan, as a motorcycle manufacturer. Soichiro Honda‘s expertise in automotive repair and piston ring manufacturing (in World War II) laid the basis for the engineering-centric philosophy of the brand. By the 1960s, Honda had branched out into cars, revolutionizing the industry with small, gas–saving cars like the Honda T360 pickup truck (1963) and the S500 sports car (1963).

the company’s head office is based in Minato, Tokyo, Japan. Honda has a presence in over 150 nations with manufacturing facilities in key markets:
North America: Major factories in Ohio, Alabama, and Indiana (U.S.), and Ontario (Canada).
Asia: Production facilities in China, India, Thailand, and Indonesia.
Europe: UK (Swindon, up to 2021) and Turkey manufacturing facilities.
Honda technology research and development facilities in Japan, Germany, and the U.S. focus on the creation of automotive, robotics, and energy technologies.

the company is publicly owned (NYSE: HMC, TYO: 7267) stand-alone firm, as opposed to conglomerate-affiliated rivals (e.g., Toyota Group). The Honda Foundation, established in 1977, oversees philanthropic activities. Alone among the Big Four Japanese automakers, Honda does not have a dominant parent firm—its largest shareholders are institutional investors like BlackRock and The Vanguard Group.

the company has control of many industries:
Motorcycles: World‘s largest manufacturer since 1959 (models: Africa Twin, Gold Wing, CBR1000RR).
Power Equipment: Generators (e.g., EU2200i), lawnmowers, and marine engines.
Aviation: HondaJet HA-420, a light business jet.
Robotics: ASIMO (humanoid robot) and Honda Walking Assist.

The Honda Civic (introduced in 1972) is Honda‘s all-time best-seller with over 27 million sales to date in 2023. The CR-V SUV (1995) follows close behind, particularly in China and the U.S. Both are famous for reliability, gas mileage, and retention of resale value.

the company plans to achieve 100% zero-emission vehicle sales by 2040. Key initiatives:
Existing EVs: Honda e (city EV), Prologue EV (2024, co-developed with GM).
Future Plans: 30 models by 2030, including Honda 0 Series (ultra-light EVs).
Hydrogen Tech: Clarity Fuel Cell and collaborations on hydrogen infrastructure.

the company’s engineering heritage includes:
VTEC (Variable Valve Timing and Lift Electronic Control): First appeared in 1989 (B16A engine), a balance between power and fuel efficiency.
Earth Dreams Technology: Low-emission direct-injection engines (e.g., 1.5L Turbo for Civic).
Racing Heritage: F1 engines (1980s–2021) and IndyCar partnerships.

the company is the leader in safety with:
Honda Sensing Suite: Standard on most models (collision mitigation, adaptive cruise control).
IIHS Top Safety Picks: Highest ratings in 2023 Accord, CR-V, and Odyssey.
Connectivity: Remote start in HondaLink app, AI-powered voice assistants.

In Fiscal Year 2023 the company recorded:
Revenue: ¥16.9 trillion (~$130 billion USD).
Operating Profit: ¥839 billion (~$6.4 billion USD).
Global Sales: 4.1 million cars, 19 million motorcycles.