Honda’s beginning started with a motorcycle called the Honda Cub. By’64 Honda Motor Company was the largest producer of motorcycles. The T360 mini pickup truck was the first automobile produced by Honda. The S500 sports car was the first car produced by the company. Dealerships such as Lodi Honda would start to sprout up around the country.
Soichiro Honda, who founded the company, had an interest in automobiles at a young age that only increased over time. He taught himself engineering and pawned the jewelry that belonged to his wife at one point to be able to go to college. Honda won a contract with Toyota to build a factory that produced pistons. The factory was destroyed during an earthquake.
When gas was in short supply during World War II, Honda was not able to drive his car so, he attached a little motor to his bicycle. Needless to say, it attracted a lot of attention. At that point, he built the Honda Technical Research Institute to create and produce 2-cycle motorcycle engines. The money he made was enough to build the first motorcycle, the Honda Cub.
Honda began exporting to the United States in the 60’s. Debates have ensued over Honda’s successful entry into the competitive U. S. Motorcycle market. A couple of reasons have been given in attempts to explain Honda’s strategy and how they succeeded.
The motorcycle industry in Britain took a hit when Honda began selling their motorcycles. A report on how Honda accomplished success while the British industry did not was commissioned in’75. Honda saw the need to produce enough motorcycles to satisfy several economies at one time. That was the reports finding. As a result, the British industry was accused of not investing their profits to allow for the same situation.
In’84, a second explanation was given. It was discovered that Honda’s successful entry into the US market was because of their ability to adapt and work hard. Initially, Honda had planned on entering the US to compete in large motorcycles. By sheer accident, the scooters that were used by the team around their business in San Francisco gained a lot of attention. It was then that they came up with the idea of the Supercub.
Honda’s beginnings in the United States are still used for teaching strategy at business schools across the world.
Honda was the first to develop a Japanese luxury car and motorcycle with an airbag as well as the first middle sized pickup truck with an independent rear suspension.
Honda’s line of automobiles includes ones that are specific to certain areas of the world. Some examples of the automobiles are the Acura TL and the Honda Ridgeline. The CR-V, S2000, Insight, Civic, Accord and Fit are part of the global line. The company realizes that there is a need to make various models available throughout the world.
During the 2008 economic meltdown experienced throughout the United States, Honda enjoyed an increase in sales. The high price of fuel and a weakening economy caused the increased. Toyota and the Big Three suffered major losses and plant closures in the double digits during 2008. The sales of Honda’s went through the roof topping out at twenty percent.
If you are looking for great value cars look at the following videos from the Honda dealer in Lodi: Fairfield Honda Fit and Honda Fairfield.
