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Honda was founded in 1948 by Soichiro Honda as a motorcycle manufacturer. The company's first product was a motorized bicycle using surplus generator engines, which sold rapidly in postwar Japan. By the 1960s Honda had become the world's largest motorcycle manufacturer and entered the automobile market with the 1963 T360 mini-truck and the S500 sports car. Honda gained international recognition in 1972 with the Civic, a compact car designed to meet strict American emissions standards without a catalytic converter.
The 1976 Accord established Honda as a mainstream manufacturer in the United States. In 1986 Honda introduced the Acura luxury division, the first Japanese premium brand in North America. Honda is also one of the world's largest engine manufacturers, producing power equipment, marine engines, and robotics.
The HondaJet program, launched in 2015, marked the company's entry into light business aviation. [Uncertain: the claim that the 1972 Civic met US emissions without a catalytic converter depends on how "met standards" is defined; the CVCC engine met 1975 standards without a converter but required one for later, tighter regulations.]
Honda's CVCC (Compound Vortex Controlled Combustion) engine was a landmark innovation that allowed the 1975 Civic to meet US Clean Air Act standards without a catalytic converter, forcing competitors to rethink combustion chamber design. Honda pioneered the use of double-wishbone suspension across its mass-market lineup, delivering class-leading handling.
In the 2000s, Honda developed the IMA (Integrated Motor Assist) hybrid system, used in the Insight and later Civic Hybrid. More recently, Honda has invested heavily in fuel-cell technology and worked with General Motors on next-generation hydrogen systems.
Honda's ASIMO humanoid robot and the HondaJet advanced the company's reputation for engineering ambition well beyond automobiles. The e:HEV dual-motor hybrid system represents Honda's current generation of electrified powertrains.
Soichiro Honda establishes Honda Motor Company, initially producing motorized bicycles.
Honda launches the T360 mini-truck and S500 sports car, entering the automotive market.
The Honda Civic is introduced, setting new standards for efficiency and emissions control in a compact car.
Honda launches Acura, the first Japanese luxury automotive brand in North America.
The HondaJet HA-420 enters production, marking Honda's entry into the aviation market.
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