Create
Creative power, the key to realising dreams
Transcend
Transcend various constraints of time and place
Augment
To augment people’s abilities and possibilities
Create. Transcend. Augment.
At Honda, these aren't just words, they are the foundation of everything we do.
We create with purpose, crafting vehicles, motorcycles, power products, and mobility solutions that improve lives.
We transcend boundaries, pushing beyond the expected to redefine performance, sustainability, and reliability.
And we augment everyday experiences through innovation, precision engineering, and an unwavering commitment to excellence.
From our origins to where we are today in South Africa, our journey is one of bold ideas, relentless curiosity, and a belief that the power of dreams can shape a better tomorrow, for everyone.
Create
Create embodies our commitment to innovation and excellence, driving groundbreaking solutions and transformative mobility experiences. At Honda, creativity is central to delivering unique value, with a team fueled by curiosity, determination, and a pioneering spirit. We embrace challenges and explore uncharted territories, thinking outside the box. Honda brings together diverse perspectives and ambitious dreams, fostering collaboration that sparks continuous evolution. Our collective energy transforms innovative ideas into solutions shaping the future of mobility.
Transcend
Transcend is about overcoming the limitations of time and place, offering freedom from constraints to achieve greater convenience, unrestricted movement, and speed. Honda empowers individuals to transcend the constraints of time with a wide range of mobility solutions and advanced technologies, such as automated driving systems for seamless travel. Our dedication to making mobility faster, more convenient, and unrestricted is a universal value Honda upholds through our diverse array of products and services.
Augment
Augment represents the expansion of human potential and possibilities. It involves enabling people to accomplish feats that were previously beyond reach. Through our cutting-edge mobility products, individuals can travel more quickly, venture further, and access previously unreachable locations. Portable energy devices extend human activities, while digital technologies enhance physical and cognitive abilities, offering boundless opportunities. Honda is committed to helping people around the world augment every aspect of their lives through our innovative technologies, visionary ideas, and exceptional designs.
Our Value Proposition and Creativity
At Honda, our pursuit of the mobility of dreams is inspired by the aspirations of individuals. We are dedicated to delivering a value proposition unique to Honda, encapsulated by the concepts of “Transcend” and “Augment”—made possible through our creative power to “Create.”
Honda's History
View the most important dates throughout Honda’s rich global history here.
1940s
The History and Future of Branding
1946 - Yamashita-Cho
Soichiro Honda establishes Honda Technical Research Institute in Yamashita-cho, Hamamatsu-city, Shizuoka Prefecture, to research and produce manufacturing equipment and internal combustion engines.
"We have consistently chosen a most difficult path filled with hardships. We must possess the will to challenge difficulties and the wisdom to create new values without being bound by established standards. We do not wish to imitate others."
—Soichiro Honda, Founder
1947 - Production of 2-stroke 50cc
Yamashita Plant begins production of 2-stroke 50cc A-Type auxiliary bicycle engines, including die-casting of multiple engine components.
1948 - Honda Motor Co. Ltd. is established
Sept – As successor to Honda Technical Research Institute, Honda Motor Co., Ltd. is established on September 24 in Hamamatsu-city, Shizuoka Prefecture, with 1 million yen in capital and 34 associates
1950s
1952 - Cub F-Type motorcycle
June – Honda begins exporting products, shipping Cub F-Type motorcycles to Taiwan and other countries
1952 - Manufacturing power products
October – Export of the Dream to Okinawa and the Philippines begins December – Honda begins manufacturing power products, its first general-purpose engine, the Type H.
1954 - Honda's first participation in an overseas motor sports
February – In Honda's first participation in an overseas motor sports event, Mikio Omura finishes 13th in a motorcycle race held in Sao Paulo to celebrate the city's 400th anniversary.
1958 - The Super Cub
July – The Super Cub is introduced
1959 - Honda wins the 125cc class Manufacturers
June – In its first participation in Isle of Man TT, Honda wins the 125cc class Manufacturers' Team Award.
1959 - American Honda Motor Co
June – American Honda Motor Co., Inc., is established in Los Angeles, U.S. (Honda's first overseas subsidiary).
1960s
1961 - Clean sweep in Isle of Man TT
June – Honda sweeps first through fifth places in 125cc and 250cc classes of the isle of Man TT.
1961 - 1 millionth Super Cub
June – Honda produces 1 millionth Super Cub.
1962: The Suzuka Circuit is completed
The circuit is born as Japan’s first international-class racing track.
1963: Honda forays into automobile production
Honda releases the T360 mini-truck, followed by the S500 sports car.
1964: Honda’s first appearance in Formula 1 racing
Japan’s first Formula 1 machine, the RA271, debuts at the German Grand Prix. Honda takes its first Formula 1 victory the following year, in the final round at Mexico.
1970s
1970: Driving Safety Promotion Center established
Honda begins a motorcycle/automobile industry-first effort to promote driving safety.
1972: Low-emission CVCC engine announced
Honda becomes the first manufacturer in the world to fully comply with the most stringent emission regulations at the time, the U.S. Clean Air Act In 1970, or the so-called “Muskie Law.”
1980s
1981: Honda develops the world’s first car navigation system
Honda released the first car navigation system, Honda Electro Gyrocator that displayed the current location on a map.
1982 - Japan’s first Franz System vehicle
Honda realised Japan’s first automobile equipped with the Franz System, supporting drivers with leg or arm disabilities.
1984 - Honda wins its first Formula One race
July – After ending its hiatus, Honda wins its first Formula One race, the ninth Dallas Grand Prix, with driver Keke Rosberg.
1988 - Record-setting 15 out of 16 wins in Formula 1 racing
Ayrton Senna and Alain Prost dominate the season driving McLaren-Honda MP4/4s.
1988 - Honda Variable Valve Timing and Lift Electronic Control (VTEC)
October – Honda introduces two new technologies for enhanced engine efficiency: Honda Variable Valve Timing and Lift Electronic Control (VTEC) and Honda variable wing turbo system.
1989 - World's first traction control system
January – Honda introduces world's first traction control system for front-wheel drive automobiles.
1990s
1990 - First Japanese company to develop seat belt pretensioner
June – Honda becomes the first Japanese company to develop a seat belt pre-tensioner and front passenger SRS airbag.
1991 - Steering angle-linked automobile steering control system
June - Steering angle-linked automobile steering control system.
1992 - Honda attains milestone of 20 million Super Cub motorcycles
March – Honda attains milestone of 20 million Super Cub motorcycles produced (highest among motorcycle brands worldwide).
1996 - Walking humanoid robot (P2)
December – Prototype of walking humanoid robot (P2) introduced via video at president's year-end press conference.
1997 - Jet Plane MH02
September – Honda develops 6-Passenger Experimental Jet Plane MH02.
1999 - Honda Insight is Hybrid Milestone
December – Honda Insight drives through uncharted territory to become the first hybrid vehicle available in North America. It remains the most fuel-efficient, non-plugin vehicle in its class for the next 17 years.
“The value of life can be measured by how many times your soul has been deeply stirred.”
—Soichiro Honda, Founder
2000s
2000 - World's first indoor vehicle-to-vehicle crash test facility
March – Automobile R&D Centre completes world's first indoor vehicle-to-vehicle crash test facility, which begins operating in April.
2000 - Honda announces ASIMO, the humanoid robot
Honda realized a new lightweight humanoid robot that can walk in a similar manner to humans.
2002 - World’s first lease-sales of the FCX fuel cell vehicle
FCX became the first vehicle to receive U.S. government certification as a fuel cell vehicle, and went on lease-sale in the U.S. and Japan.
"Without racing the automobile would not get better. Head-to-head competition in front of a crowd is the way to become number one in the world."
—Soichiro Honda, Founder
2010s
2011 - HondaJet reaches maximum operating altitude
April – FAA-conforming HondaJet reaches maximum operating altitude of 43,000 ft.
2012 - UNI-CUB personal mobility device debuts
May – UNI-CUB personal mobility device debuts in Japan.
2015 - Honda wins 700th World Grand Prix race
Honda achieves an unprecedented number of motorcycle road racing grand prix victories.
2015 - Honda rejoins Formula 1
Honda rejoins Formula 1 racing for the first time in 7 years as a power unit supplier, to pursue new technological challenges.
2015 - The First Power of Dreams Award
We are honored to name Audrey Stradford the first-ever recipient of The Power of Dreams Award, commending her 40 years of exceptional service as a faculty member and volunteer at Tennessee State University.
2016 - Honda announces Clarity Fuel Cell
Clarity Fuel Cell achieves top-class fuel cell vehicle driving range of 750km.
“Everything starts with an idea or a dream or a thought. What goes on from there, where we take it — that’s really what the Power of Dreams represents.”
— Steve Morikawa, VP, Corporate Community Relations
2016 - Honda’s worldwide cumulative automobile production reaches 100 million milestone
2017 - Honda celebrates 100 Million-unit global production milestone for Super Cub series
2020s
2020 - Launched new electric vehicle "Honda e"
The Honda e is an electric car that was sold in Japan from 2020 to 2024 and in Europe from 2020 to 2023.
2020 - Honda achieves unprecedented 800 Road Racing World Championship wins
2021 - Honda wins Formula 1 Drivers Championship
Max Verstappen wins the 2021 World Championship driving the Red Bull-Honda RB16B.
2021 - World-first Level 3 Autonomous Honda Legend goes on sale
Honda produces a limited run of only 100 vehicles with Level 3 at its Sayama assembly plant.
2022: 50th Anniversary CIVIC
Honda’s Aspirations and Challenges
Honda has grown into the company it is today because our people have taken on challenges big and small, always powered by dreams. Here, we share stories based on the dreams of Honda.
History
Delve into our history, tracing our journey from inception to today.
Philosophy
The Honda Philosophy consists of Fundamental Beliefs, the Company Principle, and Management Policies that form the basis for all company activities.
Inherited Philosophy
We introduce the ideas underpinning our values, corporate culture, and facilities since the company’s inception.
2030 Vision
In order to continue to be a company that society wants to exist, we set the direction we will take next and establish it as our vision.