Soichiro Honda, founder of Honda, now Honda Motor Corporation: biography, interesting facts

2024 Author: Howard Calhoun | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 10:16

Soichiro Honda was a famous visionary of the automotive industry. A man of limited means but great talent forever changed the way we drive today. This brief history highlights just some of the interesting milestones in his long and illustrious career.

Future Napoleon from mechanics

In the small village of Komyo near Tenryu, now the city of Hamamatsu, lived Gihei Honda - an honest, experienced blacksmith with his wife Mika - a skilled weaver. Gihei ran a bicycle repair shop. On November 17, 1906, Soichiro was born to the couple. Despite the fact that the family was poor, the son was brought up in a happy environment, although a little strict. Like his father, Honda (see photo below) had a love for mechanics, and like his father, he had skillful hands. He was not inclined to cause inconvenience to others and grew up valuing time, always arriving on time for all his appointments.

At the age of 8-9, he first saw a car drive past him on a rough and dusty rural road. Soichiro found the exhaust fumes charming, and the roar of the engine sounded like music to him. Approaching a tiny puddle of gasolineabandoned by a passing miracle, he knelt down, dipped his fingers into it, and breathed in. The boy felt mesmerized by the smell, and from then on he dreamed only of cars and engines. At elementary school in Futamata, Souichiro's classes dragged on for ages: he waited for the bell to spend his free time in his father's workshop. Pedals, chains and wheels were his toys when he helped Gihei with repairs.

Work at Art Shokay

When Honda was 16 years old, he saw an advertisement for the Art Shokai car workshop in Tokyo. The car service was popular because it provided the best repair services in town. It wasn't a job ad, but Souichiro wrote to management asking for him to be an apprentice. After receiving a positive response, a week later the dreamer left for Tokyo.

Soichiro Honda was delighted to see the country's urbanized capital. For the first few months, the apprentice did small chores like making tea or mopping the floors. The elders took him under their wing and observed his patience and devotion to the company. He quickly learned the nuances of auto repair and earned a reputation as a hardworking mechanic. His enthusiasm for hard work, ability to improvise, and intuitive understanding of mechanics have served him well. It was here that he learned how to make piston rings under the guidance of his boss, Yuzo Sakakibara. Soichiro not only learned how to repair work, but also how to deal with customers, as well as the importance of taking pride in one's technical competence andwork. He received not only theoretical knowledge, but also such necessary work skills as forging and welding.

Branch Head

A young man lived his dream, but everything changed on September 1, 1923. A great earthquake in Japan brought destruction and death. More than 140 thousand people died as a result of the tragedy. While the senior employees left to rebuild their homes and lives, Soichiro stayed in the workshop. Tragedy turned into a blessing for this aspiring engineer, who was given the opportunity to repair his clients' motorcycles and cars.

Honda has become an indispensable asset of the Art Shokay workshop. In 1928, the company expanded rapidly and the owners decided to open branches in other cities. The 22-year-old Soichiro was put in charge of the Hamamatsu branch. The new responsibilities gave him enough time to build racing cars from old parts and chassis. It also gave him the opportunity to test his talent as an inventor. Soichiro built a racing car from scratch and fitted it with an overhauled Ford engine. Showing a speed of more than 160 km / h, the car broke the record of the Japanese race track. Soichiro worked day and night on his creations.

By then, the Hamamatsu branch had over 30 employees. In October of the same year, Honda married Sati. She began helping her husband run the company, taking over the catering and bookkeeping duties. The racing enthusiast personally drove his cars until, in 1936, withhe did not have an accident that almost ended in death. He withdrew from racing at the urging of his wife and father.

Own business

In 1937, Soichiro Honda (pictured in the article) invested his $3,200 savings in the piston ring company Tokai Seiki Heavy Industry. His short tenure at a previous job came in handy when he opened his factory in Hamamatsu. The company supplied piston rings to Toyota and then to the Japanese Imperial Army and Air Force. Soichiro's first lesson came when a batch of 3,000 of his piston rings supplied to Toyota failed inspection. It was a big blow to the company's finances. But the resilient Honda learned a valuable lesson in quality control and returned to business. He decided to enter the Institute of Industry in Hamamatsu and study metallurgy for two years.

During the Sino-Japanese War and later, during World War II, the company's sales tripled. It was also a time of frustration for Honda, who could no longer build racing cars. Gradually, the number of male employees in the company, which had already risen to two thousand employees, was reduced as they were called up for war. They were replaced by inexperienced women. It was then that Soichiro realized the need for factory automation.

The attack on Pearl Harbor brought the war to the shores of Japan. Allied air forces bombed the airbase at Hamamatsu. During the raid, the Honda plant was partially destroyed. But he restored it and the assembly line.

Sabbatical

In 1945, another earthquake shook the city, and this time luck was not on Honda's side. The plant was so badly damaged that Soichiro had neither the means nor the desire to restore it. Having sold the Toyota plant, Honda took a year-long sabbatical. He entered the technical college in Hamamatsu and studied automotive engineering, but did not show up for his final exams. Soichiro became an engineer without a degree.

After World War II, Japan was devastated. Public and private transportation has been hit hard. The country rallied with courage to restore its pre-war glory. Manufacturers in all industries sought with religious zeal to achieve high quality products at affordable prices. However, the automotive industry was still at a crossroads to create a vehicle that would "luck" the country to prosperity.

Petrol bike

In October 1946, Soichiro established the Honda Research Institute. He purchased tiny two-stroke radial engines from the army and adapted them to bicycles. The cheap gasoline-powered bicycle was instantly popular with people who couldn't afford expensive cars.

In 1948, Honda established its motorcycle factory. Further research and development led to the Type-A model. The competition was fierce, as Honda was only one of the country's 200 motorized vehicle manufacturers. Soichiro's ingenuity andWord of mouth made Honda's first motorcycle a hit. And the advent of the "Dream" Type-D model changed the Japanese two-wheel industry forever.

Honda: dream price

Soichiro had a principle - "good products need a good marketing strategy." The name "Dream" was suggested by close friends, as Honda had always dreamed of making elegant yet powerful cars. Unfortunately, the financial position of the company was not in the best condition. Soichiro was a great engineer but a terrible businessman who was unable to control his expenses or cut his losses. The company was rapidly losing money, jeopardizing the dream of its founder. As Souichiro was contemplating the future of the enterprise, Takeo Fujisawa appeared at his doorstep.

Savior Companion

It was 1950 when Fujisawa met 44-year-old lone manufacturer Soichiro, owner of a motorcycle factory. He shared his passion for cars and they could talk about them for hours. By the end of the day, Fujisawa walked out with a job, though without any formal contract. He took charge of the company's business operations, while Soichiro devoted his full time to research and development.

Creating engines of the highest quality became Honda's highest priority, and as a result, the Type E model was launched. The motorcycle featured a 5.5 hp 4-stroke engine. With. Fujisawa's business acumen led to the production of the 50cc Type Cub light motorized vehicle. see This inexpensive model has won hearts andmet the expectations of thousands of Japanese who could not afford to buy a car.

Soichiro Millionaire

To meet the growing needs, the growing company has built new factories and research laboratories. In 1955, Honda Motors secured financial security through a public initial public offering on the Tokyo Stock Exchange. By the end of 1956, the company had become Japan's leading motorcycle manufacturer, and Soichiro and his close friend Fujisawa had made a multi-million dollar fortune.

Honda's motto is based on the philosophy of the three joys:

1. The joy of manufacturing experienced by engineers and manufacturers.
2. The joy of selling for promoters and sales teams.
3. The joy of shopping: Soichiro's greatest reward is when a customer is satisfied with the product.

During the Korean War in the 1950s, sales skyrocketed as American troops began using Japanese vehicles for their logistics operations. Even the country's shipbuilding and steel industries benefited from the ongoing war. High quality, reliable engines and low operating costs have made Honda the US military's most preferred logistical partner. Fujisawa saw an opportunity for growth and developed the company's successful high-productivity manufacturing system. The financial situation of Honda Motors was in such good shape as never before. Motorcycles "Honda" played an important role in the development of the country. Despite success, the 52-year-oldSoichiro was still a boy at heart who never disdained to get his hands dirty.

Conquest of America

In 1959, Honda Motors entered the US market. It was dominated by local heavy-duty motorcycle manufacturers such as Harley Davidson and Indian. The company was located in Los Angeles, but could not attract customers. The average American thought only criminals and cops rode motorcycles.

Honda wanted to change the perception of the target audience. For this, a unique marketing strategy was adopted. The company showed off its motorcycles at hardware stores, sports equipment stores, and even supermarkets. When the Super Cub arrived in the US, it changed the way young Americans commuted to work.

In the first year, the US branch managed to sell 15,000 units, which was an excellent result for a foreign company. Nevertheless, Soichiro hatched ambitious plans. He wanted to sell 15,000 units a month. As always, Fujisawa stepped in and began selling non-traditional Japanese-style motorcycles. The company's sales department moved trailers loaded with them from city to city.

The unique distribution method worked and sales skyrocketed. The 1958 Super Cub was redesigned for the American market. The high-quality and attractive motorcycle was considered one of the best in the USA. Lightweight female frame, simple operation, low maintenance costs and simple design have made it popular among the fairer sex. Feature Honda Super Cubfuel consumption made it possible to call the motorcycle the most economical in the country. The American version had a 50cc engine. cm and a capacity of 4.5 liters. s.

For the production of this model in Suzuka (Japan), a new Honda factory was built, the cost of which was 10 billion yen, designed to produce 30 thousand vehicles in one shift or 50 thousand in two. The company became the largest in the world, and mass production reduced costs by 18%.

Race with yourself

Honda Motor Company has penetrated deeply into the American motorcycle market. But Souichiro wanted more. One day he visited his own research center and shocked the team by announcing his participation in motorcycle racing. His passion and need for speed showed up again. In 1959, the Honda team raced on the Isle of Man and openly opposed their rivals. What seemed like a bold move became a strategic move that pushed the company's technological boundaries. The technology, developed for racing, has subsequently been applied to consumer motorcycles. A poor start on the Isle of Man due to constant engine failures and other technical failures became a learning process for Soichiro, and despite everything, he constantly kept the team's morale high, aiming them to win. Success came in 1961 when Honda won the first 5 positions in the 125cc and 250cc categories. see

Conquest of the world

To capitalize on the success of racing motorcycles, Soichiro began to expand into foreign markets. In 1964The company's American division sponsored the Academy Awards and the Super Bowl. It instantly attracted attention and converted into 100k sales per month. The "You'll meet the nicest people at Honda" ad campaign created huge consumer demand. The campaign was a true reflection of its founder. In the 60-second commercial, a young mother drops her child off at school in her Honda and drives into a nearby store. Aesthetically perfect black and white advertising showed people from different backgrounds riding motorcycles of this brand. Later color commercials featured boys and girls driving Hondas to appeal to young Americans.

Formula 1

The founder of Honda conquered the global motorcycle market, but he wanted to conquer even greater heights. He once again shocked the developers by announcing the start of car production. It was a practical move as the company had all the resources and technical expertise to deal with this problem. But Honda faced an obstacle - Japanese trade and industry did not issue licenses for the creation of new car productions. This depressed Souichiro, who was infatuated with them.

To morally defeat the politicians, he started racing Formula 1. The idea was to produce faster and cheaper cars while maintaining international quality standards. Participation in the "Formula 1" helped the company to quickly introduce innovations, subsequently used in consumer models. First seasonThe Honda team in 1964 was full of disappointments and setbacks. But the CEO backed up the engineering team. The next year was promising, but also ended in failure. Soichiro Honda began to worry if his success was limited to motorcycles.

Then came the team's high point when it won the Mexican Grand Prix. In 1967, Honda took pole position in the Italian Grand Prix. She performed much better on the Formula 2 tracks, winning 11 times in a row. The company promoted its technology through motorsports.

A dream come true

Soichiro Honda lobbied the government and got permission to build a small number of cars. He was involved in the company's research and design process. His European tour was a revelation to him when Soichiro stumbled upon a compact Fiat. It was smaller, maneuvered easily in traffic, burned less fuel and needed less parking space.

Inspired by their European counterparts, engineers built the Honda Civic. The first car to wear the Honda badge featured an innovative pre-combustion diesel engine that emits less carbon dioxide and pollutants. The model has successfully passed the test of compliance with the strict environmental laws of the United States, causing the wrath of American manufacturers. Sales exceeded even bold expectations, and Honda Civic became number one in the US, displacing eminent automobile concerns.

In 1973, the company decided to build a factory in Marysville, Ohio. The Accord model has becomeproduced in 1982. In the same year, the Akkura brand was launched with the addition of Integra and Legends. Accura NSX becomes Japan's first supercar.

On the 25th anniversary of Honda Motors, Soichiro Honda and Tekeo Fujisawa retired from the company. The genius passed his brainchild into the hands of the younger generation at the height of the technological and infrastructural power of the enterprise.

Life in retirement

But Honda's skill hasn't left him. He spent hours in his private garage restoring and stripping engines. At the invitation of the British Museum, he repaired an antique car and drove it from London to Brighton.

66-year-old Soichiro Honda retired as Japan's Goodwill Ambassador. He met with many prominent personalities, built bridges between East and West. He welcomed the transfer of automobile production to the US in 1974 and their sale worldwide. Honda did not forget about his offspring and often visited the company's research laboratories to keep abreast of the latest technology. Souichiro gleefully admitted that the innovations are intriguing, but he fails to understand them. The master breathed his last on August 5, 1991. He died due to liver failure. The dreamer left his beliefs, ideas and spirit with the Honda Motor Corporation.

Interesting facts

• Founder Soichiro Honda did not have a college degree.
• Honda began manufacturing motorized bicycles in 1946, and by 1964, his company had become the largest motorcycle manufacturer in the world.
• Soichiro Honda was the first Japanese to be included inAmerican Automotive Hall of Fame. It happened in 1983
• The Super Cub, which debuted in 1958, was selling 165,000 units a month by 1960. More than 60 million motorcycles of this model have already been sold worldwide.
• Honda's market value exceeds that of General Motors and Ford combined.
• The company is not limited to motorcycles and cars. It manufactures jet skis, ATVs, airplanes, mountain bikes, lawn mowing equipment, and more. In addition, Honda is actively involved in robotics, developing models that can walk, run, dance, avoid obstacles and even conduct an orchestra.