TORRANCE, Calif. - The vision of Honda's founders continues to drive the company's global growth. From the start, Soichiro Honda and Takeo Fujisawa had an international Vision, and today, Honda is the largest manufacturer and seller of motorcycles in the world and the eight largest automobile producer. Honda products, including automobiles, motorcycles and portable power equipment, are manufactured in almost 100 facilities in more than 35 countries.

Honda and Fujisawa established Honda Motor Company (HMC) on September 24, 1948 and to date, the company has sold over 10 million products in approximately 160 countries around the world.

Global Operations

Following the company's international vision, in 1959, American Honda Motor Co., Inc. was created as its first overseas subsidiary to sell motorcycles in the U.S. Automobile sales began here in 1970.

By the 1960s, Honda was establishing subsidiaries in Asia and in Europe. In the 1970s, the company expanded further in these regions and into South America.

The 1990s brought fresh challenges for Honda, with major markets around the world becoming more distinct. In order to meet the individual needs of each market, Honda organized its divisions into four regional operations in 1994, giving each region more autonomy to develop products. The four regions - Americas, Japan, Europe/Middle East/Africa and Asia/Oceania - reinforce Honda's commitment to producing vehicles in the markets it serves.

Americas Strategy

Focusing on regional markets has allowed Honda to develop strong sales, R&D and manufacturing operations in each region. Honda was the first Japanese automaker to establish manufacturing operations in the United States, first with motorcycles in 1979 and then with automobiles in 1982. In North America, production capacity now exceeds 900,000 automobiles and will be increased to more than one million units by the end of 2001. More than 80 percent of the vehicles sold in North America are produced in the U.S. and Canada, using more than 400 local suppliers. Domestic content of those vehicles exceeds 90 percent.

Honda has significantly expanded its R&D operations in North America, established new auto manufacturing facilities in Mexico and increased exports to Central and South America. The Challenging Spirit Throughout the history of Honda Motor Company, its greatest achievements have resulted from seeking out and accepting new challenges: challenges designed to focus and motivate everyone in the company.

Soichiro Honda saw motor racing as a great challenge and great opportunity to focus the attention of the entire company. Honda has competed - and won - in many major forms of automobile and motorcycle racing, including Formula One auto racing, Superbike and Grand Prix motorcycle racing, motocross and the prestigious Isle of Man.

In North America, Honda entered the CART Series in 1994, and captured its first series championship in 1996. Honda-powered cars repeated as series champions in 1997 and 1998.

In 1997, Honda Motor Company built Twin Ring Motegi, one of world's most spectacular racing circuits. The track hosted the first Champ Car race ever held in Japan in March 1998.

Respect for the Individual and Society

Most companies have corporate cultures, but few have the unswerving dedication to their vision that has served Honda so well through its first 50 years. It is a vision laid down by Soichiro Honda himself: respect for the individual and for society.

It is the vision behind Honda's commitment to producing environmentally sensitive products that meets the needs of personal transportation.

The company introduced the first vehicle in America to comply with the Clean Air Act without a catalytic converter - the famous Civic CVCC. Today, Honda's environmental commitment is evidenced by its comprehensive line-up of clean air vehicles. These include the Honda EV PLUS with advanced nickel metal hydride batteries available in the U.S. and Japan, and the natural gas powered Civic GX, certified by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency as the cleanest internal combustion vehicle ever tested.

Honda's ingenuity and vision led it to become the first automaker to offer cars meeting California's stringent Low Emission Vehicle (LEV) standard. It now sells LEV Civics and Accords in all 50 states. Honda will also sell LEV Accords in Europe and Asian markets even though there is no requirement to do so.

In 1998, Honda introduced an Accord meeting California's stringent Ultra Low Emission Vehicle (ULEV) standards - two years ahead of mandates. More than half of all Hondas sold in the U.S. are now equipped with LEV technology.

The Next 50 Years