Soichiro Honda was a renowned visionary for the automotive industry. A person with limited means but great talent has forever changed the way we drive today. In this brief history, only a few interesting stages of his long and glorious biography are highlighted.
Future Napoleon from mechanics
In the small village of Kome near Tenryu, now the city of Hamamatsu, lived Hyhei Honda - an honest, experienced blacksmith with his wife Mika - a skilled weaver. Hyhei maintained a bicycle repair workshop. On November 17, 1906, Soichiro was born to the spouses. 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 (you can see the photo below) had a love of mechanics, and, like his father, he had skillful hands. He was not inclined to cause inconvenience to others and grew up, appreciating time, always arriving in time for all his meetings.
At the age of 8-9 years, he first saw a car driving past him along a rough and dusty rural road. Soichiro found the exhaust to be fascinating, and the roar of the engine sounded like music to him. Going to a tiny pool of gasoline left by a passing miracle, he knelt down, dipped his fingers into it and inhaled. The boy felt a mesmerized smell, and since then he only dreamed about cars and engines. In elementary school in Futamata, classes for Soichiro lasted forever: he was waiting for a call to spend his free time in his father's workshop. Pedals, chains and wheels were his toys when he helped Hyhei repair.
Work at Art Shokai
When Honda was 16 years old, he saw an advertisement for the Art Shokai automobile workshop in Tokyo. The car service was popular because it provided the best repair services in the city. This was not a hiring announcement, but Soichiro wrote to management asking him to be a student. After receiving a positive response, a week later the dreamer left for Tokyo.
Soichiro Honda was delighted to see the country's urbanized capital. The first few months, the student performed small tasks, such as making tea or mopping. The elders took him under their care and watched 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, his ability to improvise, and his intuitive understanding of mechanics served him well. It was here that he learned to make piston rings under the leadership of his boss, Yuzo Sakakibara. Soichiro not only learned how to repair, but also how to deal with customers, and also recognized the importance of pride in his technical competence and work. He received not only theoretical knowledge, but also such necessary work skills as forging and welding.
Branch Manager
The young man lived his dream, but everything changed on September 1, 1923. A large earthquake in Japan brought destruction and death. As a result of the tragedy, more than 140 thousand people died. While senior employees left to rebuild their homes and lives, Soichiro remained in the workshop. The tragedy turned into a blessing for this novice engineer, who got the opportunity to repair motorcycles and cars of his customers.
Honda has become an indispensable asset of the Art Shokai workshop. In 1928, the company expanded rapidly, and the owners decided to open branches in other cities. 22-year-old Soichiro was placed at the head of the Hamamatsu branch. 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 created a racing car from scratch and put a completely repaired Ford engine on it. Having shown 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 that time, the Hamamatsu branch had more than 30 employees. In October of that year, Honda married Satie. She began to help her husband manage the company, taking care of staffing and bookkeeping. The racing enthusiast personally drove his cars until, in 1936, an accident happened that nearly killed him. He refused to participate in races at the urgent request of his wife and father.
Own business
In 1937, Soichiro Honda (photo presented in the article) invested his $ 3200 savings in a Tokai Seiki Heavy Industry piston ring company. His short stay 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 got his first lesson when a batch of 3,000 of his piston rings delivered by Toyota failed the test. This was a big blow to the company's finances. But the cheerful 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 volume tripled. It was also a time of frustration for Honda, who could no longer assemble race cars. Gradually, the number of male employees in the company, the number of employees of which has already risen to two thousand, decreased, as they were called up for war. They were replaced by inexperienced women. It was then that Soichiro realized the need for automation of production.
The attack on Pearl Harbor led the war to the shores of Japan. Allied air forces bombed the Hamamatsu air base. During the raid, the Honda plant was partially destroyed. But he restored it and the assembly line.
Creative vacation
In 1945, another earthquake shocked the city, and this time luck was not on the side of Honda. The plant suffered so much that Soichiro had neither the means nor the desire to restore it. Having sold the Toyota plant, Honda took a one-year creative vacation. He entered a technical college in Hamamatsu and studied automotive, but did not show up for final exams. Soichiro became an engineer without a diploma.
After World War II, Japan was devastated. Public and private transportation has been hit hard. The country gathered courage to restore its pre-war glory. Manufacturers in all sectors with religious zeal sought to achieve high quality products at affordable prices. Nevertheless, the automotive industry was still at the crossroads of the road to creating a vehicle that would “drive” the country to prosperity.
Petrol bike
In October 1946, Soichiro created the Honda Research Institute. He acquired tiny two-stroke radial engines from the army and adapted them to bicycles. A cheap bike with a gasoline engine instantly gained popularity among the people who could not afford expensive cars.
In 1948, Honda established its motorcycle factory. Further research and development led to the advent of the Type-A model. The competition was fierce, since Honda was only one of the country's 200 motorized vehicle manufacturers. Soichiro's ingenuity and word of mouth made Honda's first motorcycle a hit. And the advent of the Type-D Dream model has changed the Japanese two-wheeled industry forever.
Honda: the price of a dream
Soichiro had the principle - "good products need a good marketing strategy." The name "Dream" was proposed by close friends, since Honda always dreamed of making elegant but 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 reduce losses. The company was quickly losing money, jeopardizing the dream of its founder. When Soichiro pondered the future of the enterprise, Takeo Fujisawa appeared on the threshold of his house.
Savior Companion
It was 1950 when Fujisawa met the 44-year-old single manufacturer Soichiro, the 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 left, getting a job, albeit without any formal contract. He took control of the company's business operations, and Soichiro devoted all his time to research and development.
The creation of engines of the highest quality became Honda's highest priority, and as a result, the Type E model was launched into production. The motorcycle was distinguished by a 4-stroke engine with a capacity of 5.5 liters. from. Fujisawa's business acumen led to the production of a Type Cub lightweight motorized vehicle with an engine capacity of 50 cc. see. This low-cost model has won hearts and met the hopes of thousands of Japanese who could not afford to buy a car.
Soichiro Millionaire
To meet growing needs, a growing company has built new plants and research laboratories. In 1955, Honda Motors received financial security through a public initial public offering on the Tokyo Stock Exchange. By the end of 1956, the company had become the leading motorcycle manufacturer in Japan, and Soichiro and his close friend Fujisawa made a multi-million dollar fortune.
The Honda motto is based on a philosophy of three joys:
- The joy of production experienced by engineers and manufacturers.
- The joy of the sale that promoters and sales departments receive.
- The joy of shopping: Soichiro's biggest reward is when the customer is satisfied with the product.
During the Korean War in the 1950s, sales increased sharply, as American troops began using Japanese cars for their logistics operations. Even the country's shipbuilding and metallurgical industries have benefited from the ongoing war. High quality, reliable engines and low maintenance have made Honda the most preferred logistics partner for the US military. Fujisawa saw an opportunity for growth and developed a successful highly productive production system for the company. The financial position of Honda Motors was in such good condition as never before. Honda motorcycles played an important role in the development of the country. Despite the successes, the 52-year-old Soichiro still remained in his heart a boy who never disdained to mess his hands.
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 believed that only criminals and policemen ride motorcycles.
Honda wanted to change the perception of the target audience. For this, a unique marketing strategy was adopted. The company demonstrated its motorcycles in hardware stores, sports equipment stores, and even supermarkets. When the Super Cub model appeared in the USA, it changed the way young Americans got to work.
In the first year, the American branch managed to sell 15 thousand units, which was an excellent result for a foreign company. Nonetheless, Soichiro hatched ambitious plans. He wanted to sell 15 thousand units a month. As always, Fujisawa set to work, who began selling motorcycles in an unconventional Japanese style. The company's sales department transported trailers loaded with them from city to city.
The unique distribution method worked and sales skyrocketed. The 1958 Super Cub model was redone for the American market. High-quality and attractive motorcycle was considered one of the best in the United States. Lightweight female frame, simple operation, low maintenance costs and simple design made it popular among the fairer sex. The fuel consumption characteristics of the Honda Super Cub made it possible to call the motorcycle the most economical in the country. The American version had a 50 cc engine. cm and a capacity of 4.5 liters. from.
To produce this model, a new Honda factory was built in Suzuka (Japan), the price of which was 10 billion yen, designed to produce 30 thousand vehicles in one shift or 50 thousand in two. The company has become the largest in the world, and mass production has reduced costs by 18%.
Racing with yourself
Honda Motor Company has deeply penetrated the American motorcycle market. But Soichiro wanted more. Once he visited his own research center and shocked the team, announcing his participation in motorcycle racing. His passion and need for speed affected again. In 1959, the Honda team participated in a race on the Isle of Man and openly opposed their rivals. The seemingly daring step became strategic, pushing the technological boundaries of the company. Technology developed for racing was later applied to consumer motorcycles. A bad start on the Isle of Man due to the constant engine failure and other technical failures for Soichiro became a training process, and in spite of everything, he constantly maintained the high morale of the team, aiming it to win. Success came in 1961 when Honda won the first 5 positions in the 125 and 250 cc categories. cm.
World conquest
To take advantage of the success of racing motorcycles, Soichiro began to advance into foreign markets. In 1964, the American branch of the company sponsored the Academy Awards and the Super Bowl. This instantly attracted attention and converted into 100 thousand sales per month. The advertising campaign “You Will Meet the Most Pleasant People at Honda” has created huge consumer demand. The campaign was a true reflection of its founder. In a 60-second ad, a young mother throws her child to school on her Honda and drives into a nearby store. Aesthetically perfect black and white advertising showed people from different environments riding motorcycles of this brand. Later color commercials portrayed boys and girls at Honda to attract young Americans.
"Formula 1"
The founder of Honda conquered the world motorcycle market, but wanted to conquer even greater peaks. He once again shocked the developers, announcing the start of car production. This was a practical step, as the company had all the resources and technical experience to solve this problem. But the Honda faced an obstacle - Japanese trade and industry did not issue licenses for the creation of new car manufacturing facilities. This depressed Soichiro, passionately passionate about them.
To defeat politicians morally, he began speaking in Formula 1 races. The idea was to produce faster and cheaper cars while maintaining international quality standards. Participation in Formula 1 helped the company quickly introduce innovations that were subsequently applied in consumer models. The first season of the Honda team in 1964 was full of disappointments and setbacks. But the CEO supported a team of engineers. The next year was promising, but also ended in failure. Soichiro Honda began to worry if his success was not limited only to motorcycles.
Then came the finest hour of the team when she won the Mexican Grand Prix. In 1967, Honda took the pole position at 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 motorsport.
Dream come true
Soichiro Honda lobbied the government and received permission to build a small number of cars. He was involved in the research and design process of the company. His European tour was a revelation for him when Soichiro came across a compact Fiat. It was smaller, easily maneuvered in traffic jams, burned less fuel and required less parking space.
Inspired by their European counterparts, engineers built the Honda Civic. The first car that featured the Honda emblem was equipped with an innovative diesel engine with pre-combustion fuel that emits less carbon dioxide and pollutants. The model successfully passed compliance testing with the strict environmental laws of the United States, causing the wrath of American manufacturers. Sales exceeded even bold expectations, and the Honda Civic became number one in the United States, crowding out eminent automobile concerns.
In 1973, the company decided to build a plant in Marysville, Ohio. The Accord model began to be produced in 1982. In the same year, the Akkura brand was launched with the addition of Integra and Legends. Accra NSX became Japan's first supercar.
On the 25th anniversary of Honda Motors, Soichiro Honda and Tekeo Fujisawa quit the company. The genius handed over his brainchild to the young generation in the prime of the technological and infrastructural power of the enterprise.
Retired life
But the skill of Honda did not leave him. He spent hours in his private garage repairing and dismantling engines. At the invitation of the British Museum, he repaired an antique car and drove it from London to Brighton.
Soichiro Honda, 66, retired as Japanese Goodwill Ambassador. He met with many prominent personalities, built bridges between East and West. He welcomed the relocation of automobile manufacturing to the United States in 1974 and its worldwide sale. Honda did not forget about his brainchild and often visited the company's research laboratories to keep abreast of the latest technologies. Soichiro joyfully acknowledged that innovation was intriguing, but he was unable to understand it. The master let out his last breath on August 5, 1991. He died due to liver failure. The dreamer left his beliefs, ideas and spirit at Honda Motor Corporation.
Interesting Facts
- Founder of the company Soichiro Honda did not have a diploma of higher education.
- Honda began with the production of 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 enter the American Automobile Hall of Fame. This happened in 1983.
- Super Cub, which debuted in 1958, by 1960 was sold in the amount of 165 thousand units per month. More than 60 million motorcycles of this model have already been sold worldwide.
- The market value of Honda exceeds the value of General Motors and Ford combined.
- The company is not limited to motorcycles and cars. It produces hydrocycles, ATVs, airplanes, mountain bikes, lawn mowing equipment and much more. In addition, Honda is actively involved in robotics, developing models that can walk, run, dance, avoid obstacles and even conduct an orchestra.