Honda Motor Company

What does Honda own?
Honda Motor Company owns the Honda and Acura automotive brands, the Honda motorcycle brand (the world's largest motorcycle manufacturer), and Honda Power Products (generators, lawn equipment, marine engines). The company also operates Honda Aircraft Company, which produces the HondaJet light business jet. Honda holds 50% stakes in two major Chinese automotive joint ventures: Dongfeng Honda and Guangqi Honda.

Is Honda publicly traded?
Yes, Honda Motor Company is listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange under ticker 7267. The company's American Depositary Receipts also trade on the New York Stock Exchange under ticker HMC. Honda has a broad institutional and retail shareholder base with no single controlling shareholder.

Who founded Honda?
Honda Motor Company was founded by Soichiro Honda and Takeo Fujisawa. Soichiro Honda established Honda Technical Research Institute in 1946 in Hamamatsu, Japan, and Honda Motor Company was formally incorporated in September 1948. Soichiro Honda focused on engineering and product development, while Takeo Fujisawa managed business operations and finance. Both founders retired simultaneously in 1973.

Where is Honda headquartered?
Honda Motor Company is headquartered in Minato City, Tokyo, Japan. The company was originally founded in Hamamatsu, Shizuoka, and moved its headquarters to Tokyo as it grew. Honda operates manufacturing facilities in Japan, the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, China, India, Thailand, Indonesia, Brazil, and other countries.

How many vehicles does Honda sell annually?
For fiscal year 2025 (ended March 31, 2025), Honda sold approximately 3.7 million light vehicles globally under the Honda and Acura brands, and approximately 20.6 million motorcycles. The United States, China, and Japan are Honda's three largest automotive markets. Honda is the world's largest motorcycle manufacturer by annual sales volume.

Soichiro Honda founded Honda Technical Research Institute in October 1946 in Hamamatsu, Shizuoka, Japan, initially to develop a motorized bicycle attachment for conventional bicycles. Honda Motor Company, Ltd. was formally incorporated in September 1948. Takeo Fujisawa joined as a co-founder and business partner, with Soichiro Honda focusing on engineering and Fujisawa managing business and finance.

Honda's first complete motorcycle, the Dream D-Type, was introduced in 1949. The company grew rapidly through the 1950s, establishing itself as Japan's leading motorcycle manufacturer. Honda entered the US motorcycle market in 1959 with the establishment of American Honda Motor Company, targeting a broader consumer audience with smaller, more accessible motorcycles. The "You Meet the Nicest People on a Honda" advertising campaign, launched in 1963, successfully repositioned motorcycles as mainstream consumer products rather than vehicles associated with outlaw culture.

Honda entered the automobile market in 1963 with the T360 mini truck and S500 sports car. The company's approach to automobile manufacturing was unconventional: Honda developed its own engines rather than purchasing them from established suppliers, and the company's early cars were known for their high-revving, technically sophisticated powertrains.

Honda entered the US automobile market in 1970 with the N600 subcompact. The 1972 Civic, powered by Honda's CVCC (Compound Vortex Controlled Combustion) engine, was one of the first cars to meet the stringent US Clean Air Act emissions standards without a catalytic converter, establishing Honda's reputation for clean engine technology.

Honda established its first US automobile manufacturing plant in Marysville, Ohio in 1982, becoming the first Japanese automaker to manufacture cars in the United States. The Marysville plant produces the Honda Accord, one of the best-selling cars in US history.

The Acura brand was launched in the United States in 1986 as Honda's luxury vehicle division, making Acura the first Japanese luxury automotive brand in the US market, predating Lexus and Infiniti.

Honda entered the commercial aircraft market with the HondaJet, a light business jet developed over more than two decades. The HondaJet entered service in 2015 and became the best-selling light jet in its class by deliveries.

For fiscal year 2025 (ended March 31, 2025), Honda reported consolidated sales revenue of approximately 21.7 trillion yen, selling approximately 3.7 million light vehicles and 20.6 million motorcycles globally.

Honda Motor Company has implemented comprehensive sustainability initiatives focused on environmental responsibility, ethical manufacturing, and social impact within the automotive industry. The company recognizes its role in global transportation and is committed to achieving carbon neutrality by 2050 while maintaining engineering excellence and responsible business practices.

The company has invested heavily in electric vehicle development and sustainable manufacturing processes to reduce the environmental impact of its products and operations. Honda's sustainability strategy includes achieving carbon neutrality for all products and corporate activities by 2050, introducing 100% electric vehicle sales in major markets by 2040, and implementing renewable energy usage across manufacturing facilities.

Honda maintains strong ethical standards for manufacturing and business operations, including supply chain responsibility, worker safety protocols, and quality assurance programs. The company's ethical framework includes comprehensive supplier codes of conduct, transparent manufacturing processes, and responsible materials sourcing throughout its global operations.

The company participates in automotive industry sustainability initiatives and collaborates with technology partners to advance environmental performance across the transportation sector. Honda's sustainability reporting includes progress metrics on carbon emissions reduction, renewable energy adoption, and sustainable manufacturing practices across its global facilities.

Honda has received recognition for its innovation in automotive engineering and sustainability leadership:

• World Car Awards: Multiple awards including World Car of the Year for Honda models
• Green Car Awards: Recognition for fuel-efficient vehicles and hybrid technology innovation
• Automotive Engineering Awards: Recognition for engine technology and vehicle design excellence
• Motorcycle of the Year Awards: Multiple awards for motorcycle innovation and performance
• Safety Innovation Awards: Recognition for advanced safety systems and collision prevention technology
• Manufacturing Excellence Awards: Recognition for production quality and efficiency
• Environmental Leadership Awards: Recognition for sustainability initiatives and carbon reduction programs
• Technology Innovation Awards: Recognition for VTEC engine technology and electrification efforts

These awards reflect Honda's commitment to engineering innovation, environmental responsibility, and ethical business practices while maintaining its position as a leading global automotive manufacturer.

Honda was significantly affected by the Takata airbag inflator recall, one of the largest automotive recalls in history. Takata, a Japanese automotive supplier, manufactured defective airbag inflators that could rupture and send metal fragments into vehicle occupants. Honda was the largest customer of Takata airbags and recalled millions of vehicles globally. The recall cost Honda billions of dollars in remediation costs.

Honda has also faced regulatory scrutiny regarding fuel economy and emissions compliance in various markets. The company has generally maintained a strong compliance record, though it has faced some regulatory challenges in specific markets.