Honda

Honda
Honda Motor Co., Ltd. is a Japanese manufacturer of automobiles, motorcycles and power equipment. The headquarters is located in Tokyo.

The brand is known as one of the largest car manufacturers in the world. Honda was the first Japanese manufacturer to introduce the premium brand Acura in 1986, followed by Toyota and Nissan later.

Soichiro Honda, the founder of the company, has been interested in cars since childhood. His father ran a forge and often took jobs repairing bicycles and other mobile equipment. Therefore, Soichiro, who helped him, was well versed in mechanics. Later, he went to work in a car repair shop, where he established himself as a talented inventor and racer. Over time, he opened his own repair shop.

In 1946, Soichiro Honda founded the “Honda Technical Research Institute”, which produced small motors and mopeds. In 1948, the Honda Motor Company appeared, producing motorcycles. Around the same time, Honda hires experienced engineer Kihachiro Kawashima and meets Takeo Fujisawa, who is considered the second founding father of the company. Together they created a world-famous automaker, with Honda focusing on the technical side and Takeo Fujisawa handling marketing and commerce.

The brand started assembling cars in the 60s, quite late compared to the rest of the “monsters” of the automotive industry. The Japanese government resisted the company’s entry into competition with Nissan, Toyota and Mitsubishi, believing that this would negatively affect the interests of the country. However, Honda’s debut was stubborn and ambitious. When the Japanese Ministry of International Trade and Industry announced the start of the People’s Car program in May 1955, the company said it would be in business. The program provided for the creation of a four-seater car with a maximum speed of up to 100 km / h at a price of 150,000 yen.

To develop the car, Honda hired nearly 50 engineers in 1957 and set up a new research and development center. Contrary to expectations, the prototypes were tested for a long time and all did not find their production implementation. Honda was a perfectionist and spent a lot of time to be sure of the quality of his debut car.

On October 25, 1962, during the Japan National Auto Show, Honda presents three new models: the S360 and S500 sports cars, and the T360 small truck. Despite a warm reception, the S360 never made it to market. The main reason is that the S500 model was more relevant at that time.

The S500 used a high-tech engine with maximum torque at 9500 rpm. With a volume of 531 cubic meters. cm he gave out 44 hp at 8000 rpm. A car weighing 680 kg accelerated to 129 km / h.

In 1964, Honda announces plans to take part in Formula 1, opens a representative office in France, and the S500 becomes the winner in the 600-kilometer race at the Nürburgring. In 1965, the brand wins Formula 1 in its class.

In 1966, the elegant N360 appears. A small two-door received front-wheel drive and a four-stroke two-cylinder 354-cc air-cooled engine that developed 31 hp. A larger engine variant of the N600 was developed with a view to entering the US and European markets. He became the first car of the brand, which was officially exported to the United States.

In 1970, the company opens two new research centers: one dedicated to road safety, the other to the reduction of environmental pollution. A year later, a new Compound Vortex Controlled Combustion (CVCC) motor was introduced, which corresponded in terms of performance and emissions to the Clean Air Act, which appeared only in 1975.

In 1971, a representative office in Brazil also opens and the Life model appears. Compared to other small cars, this car offered a different level of passenger comfort. The 356 cc power unit was equipped with a water cooling system and produced 30 hp. at 8000 rpm. The maximum speed was 105 km / h. The motor was quiet and smooth running, the gearbox was separated from it.

Honda Life (1971–1974)

1972 is the year of the appearance of the legendary Civic model, which conquered the whole world with its reliability, quality and inexpensive price. Initially, it was produced as a small car. The car has gone through several generations, getting bigger and bigger.

The first generation was equipped with a four-cylinder water-cooled engine with a volume of 1169 cubic meters. see and front-wheel drive system. Despite its small size, it offered impressive interior space and was quite comfortable for passengers. The Civic also received disc front brakes, a wood-trimmed dashboard, air conditioning, and a radio.

The success of the model was largely facilitated by the fuel crisis, which forced buyers to choose economical cars. Compared to competitors, Civic allowed the driver to switch from one type of fuel to another, which gave him a significant competitive advantage.

In 1974, the oil crisis hit Japan.

and all companies have significantly reduced production volumes. All except Honda, which, on the contrary, doubled them, reducing the price to a reasonable one. This helped increase sales by 76%.

To stimulate growth in sales, the brand launched the Honda Credit System program, which allows you to buy cars on credit. Another step towards increasing sales volumes was quite successful.

In 1976, the compact Honda Accord appears, which has become very popular around the world. The model was presented in the body of a three-door hatchback. The sale of the sedan started next year. In 1978, a 1.8-liter power unit was added to the base 1.6-liter engine. Since 1979, the model received an optional three-speed automatic transmission. Already in 1980, Honda Accord sales reached 1 million units.

Honda Accord (1976)

In 1979, the automaker opens the Tochigi test site to test new models. A year later, the company is called one of the largest car manufacturers in Japan.

In 1981, two new models are released: Vigor and City. In the same year, the five millionth car rolls off the assembly line, and Honda shares begin to be listed on the London Stock Exchange. In 1986, the 4WS four-wheel steering system appears, and the brand’s factory begins to operate in Canada. In 1990, the Dream model was introduced, powered by solar panels.

In 1991, Soichiro Honda, the founder of the company, dies at the age of 85. In 1996, the Automatic Torque Distribution System (ATTS) was introduced, the Logo and Stepwgn models appeared. The same year saw the release of the EV PLUS, the first electric vehicle to use lead-acid batteries. Its engine developed 66 hp. The driving range on one charge was 160 km. In 1999, the model was discontinued, announcing the release of the first Honda Insight hybrid car.

In 1999, the Honda Insight was introduced, a hybrid car in the form of a three-door hatchback. The car received an aerodynamically optimized body, lightweight aluminum construction and a 1.0-liter three-cylinder engine with 67 hp