Honda Bikes

Honda has one of the most interesting history among other automotive brands. Those who have read about Mr Soichiro Honda may know how one man never gave up his love for automobiles and made an empire as huge as present day Honda.

From race engine tuning, contract failures with Toyota to US B-29 bomber attack on his factory, he still never thought about giving up and started working independently with 12 employees in a 170 sq ft shack. Honda started fitting bicycles with 50cc war surplus engines and later when the supply ended, built the replica and continued supplying them to bicycle owners.

He soon liquidated everything he had for Honda Motor Company and partnered Takeo Fujisawa to form the first ever independent Honda motorcycle named Dream or D-Type in 1949. It took them just 15 years to take home the title of World’s largest motorcycle manufacturer. Their first car was chain-driven, rear wheel drive S500.

Honda’s senior management has changed after the demise of Soichiro Honda and thus, their working style has also changed a lot under their new CEO. Honda took over many brands in last few decades. The Indian arm named Honda Motorcycle and Scooter India (HMSI) is responsible for their operations here.

Honda first entered India through a partnership with Hero and they soon became the most selling brand here. After their official breakup, Hero and Honda became two exclusive brands, both selling more two wheelers than all others summed up in the Indian market.

Majority of Honda’s revenue comes from North America as they have the largest selling car and motorcycle base in that continent. Takahiro Hachigo is their present CEO and plans of expansion never stop at Honda. Honda India is the leading scooter brand here as they almost cover 60% of the market with their 110cc and 125cc options.