The Honda Motor Company: Perseverance and Innovation
By Fei Lim

An assortment of well-known and popular car and motorcycle models have come out of the Honda Motor Company assembly line, which has a reputation for cranking out some of the best vehicles in Japan. Stretching from North America to China, brands such as Acura have represented the company, showcasing a high-end product line for all to enjoy. With a company that has their hands in several innovative projects including the first bike possessing an internal gear changing system to high-quality lawn and garden equipment, it is no wonder that the company's cars are well received.

The History of Honda Cars

The Honda Motor Company was established in 1948, but the division that produced cars wasn't developed until 1958. One year following the start of the American Honda Company, the first vehicle model was introduced to the United States. It was called the Honda C100 Super Cub and to this day, it is regarded as one of the best-selling cars in history, moving close to 50 million units across the globe.

When the early 1960s arrived, Honda turned their attention to creating prototypes for road cars that would satisfy the Japanese market. The first option to hit the scene was the T360, which debuted in 1963. This very small pickup truck offered a 360 cc, 30-hp engine with four different body styles, including a panel van design. Two months later, the S500 (Honda's first production selection) was created. This two-door selection was a roadster that provided a 492cc engine capacity offering a four-speed transmission.

In the early years of Honda, they made several historical achievements not only in the automotive world, but also in the way cars were manufactured. In the past, it was customary for the government to have a hand in most of the business of companies in Japan. Honda was a small company that worked independently of the government, mass-producing vehicles and successfully accomplishing their goals within a competitive industry.

At first, the United States weren't very impressed with the small stature of Honda vehicles. It was quite difficult to entice buyers to make purchases. The first car imported to the U.S. was called the N600. In 1969, Hawaii was the first state to see this vehicle. By 1970, the car made its way to the markets in California and other destinations. Despite their efforts, the miniscule 600cc engine and small design was a turnoff for the American public.

It wasn't until 1972 that Honda created a car that would capture the interest of the American market: the Honda Civic. The car was larger than previous attempts but still small enough to satisfy a growing energy crisis. The vehicle would go on to gain the respect of being a reliable automobile in a sea of worthy competitors. Additional models followed with the 1976 Civic Accord and in 1982, the first Japanese car manufacturer built a car plant in the U.S.

Throughout the years, Honda made numerous strides in the car industry, such as becoming the first automaker from Japan to present a separate line of luxury automobiles. The Acura was created in 1986, the first model being the Acura Legend, which provided consumers with a 2.5-liter engine that had a 151 horsepower capacity. 1987 brought the Honda Prelude, which was the world’s first passenger vehicle with 4-wheel steering abilities. This was also the first time a Japanese car offered the protection of an airbag.

The Honda Insight (a small 2-seat hybrid) was introduced in 1999, which combined the power of a 3-cylinder gasoline engine and a large battery pack responsible for acceleration. The low fuel consumption and emissions was embraced by those making a conscious effort to protect the environment, as well as save money. Honda became the first company to sell a hybrid vehicle in the United States, followed by additional options in the Civic Hybrid (2002) and the Accord Hybrid (2004).

Additional Honda Car Models

From the 1980s to the present, the Honda Motor Company has delivered an impressive range of vehicles to the public. Subcompacts and kei cars, such as the City, Jazz, and Today didn't reach the United States market, but lasted throughout the Japanese market. Honda's first successful attempt in the American car industry came with the Civic, but they also produced less-accepted models, such as the Ballade, Concerto, and Domani. The mid-size selections of the Accord and Inspire are still produced to this day.

The full-size Honda Legend has enjoyed a lengthy stint on the automobile market, offering new headlight and taillight designs, as well as a revised interior and new colors that came with a 2005 revamp. No longer manufactured, the Integra and Prelude was once a popular choice for a coupe during the 90s. Additional vehicle pursuits that have uplifted the Honda brand include the Element (compact SUV), Odyssey (minivan), and the Ridgeline pickup.

Future Concepts

As for the evolution of the Honda Motor Company, 2008 focuses on the Accord, which is said to showcase a design very similar to the newer Honda Civic. A sketch of an upcoming Accord coupe was also revealed. In 2007, the concept made its debut at the North American International Auto Show.