Honda Motor Co., Ltd bears the name of a Japanese garage mechanic whose main duties were tuning cars and entering them in races. Having grasped the meaning of money, Honda decided to found a little company that specialized in making pistons to be supplied to Toyota. This happened in 1937. Time was passing by. On account of war bombings, Honda had to sell the remains of his production facilities. The sum of ¥450,000 was spent on founding the Honda Technical Research Institute which paved the way for making professional motorcycles.
The Institute was soon abolished, and the Honda Motor, Ltd was finally founded. This served as a starting point for Honda’s way to the world’s leadership in motorcycle production. The 1st full-fledged motorcycle was called the Model D Dream model in 1949. Since then on Honda has been maintaining leadership as one of the world’s largest motorcycle manufacturers. Nowadays Honda makes not only motorcycles (Valkyrie, Dax, Fury, etc.) including racing models (RC211V, NR500, etc.), but also scooters (Silver Wing, Ruckus, Joker, etc.) and mopeds (Express, MT50, etc.).
As for automobiles, the 1stHonda vehicle – T360 mini pick-up truck – was manufactured in 1963. As of 2011, Honda was acknowledged as the 8th world’s largest automobile manufacturer (after GM, Volkswagen, Toyota, Hyundai, Ford, Nissan, and PSA).
Honda has always excelled in making fuel-efficient vehicles, which is confirmed by the fact that five Honda’s cars are included on the list of top 10 most fuel-efficient automobiles, according to United States Environmental Protection Agency.
The most notable Honda automobile lineups are Civic, Accord, CR-V, and Fit which have gained recognition worldwide.
Honda Civic: a Line of Subcompact & Compact Cars
Originally, the Honda Civic line included subcompact cars which were manufactured from 1973 up to 2000. This period of time encompasses six generations of vehicles with more than thirty models, overall. Since 2001 the company has been manufacturing compact cars making more and more emphasis on fuel-efficiency, reliability, and environmental friendliness. Praised for sportiness and performance, such latest models as Civic Vti, Civic Type-R, CivicSiR and some others have been warmly received.
Honda Civic Type R is notable for the highest performance achieved through the power of a specially tuned engine, upgraded chassis and brakes well-suited for racing. 3-door hatchback and 4-door sedan versions are available.
The Honda Civic GX is the only Honda car that uses compressed natural gas.
The latest 9th-generation Honda Civic (manufactured since 2011 till now) is equipped with ABS, EBD, VSA and such a cutting-edge technology as Eco Assist, not to mention air-conditioner and other modern conveniences.
Honda Accord: in Accord with the Latest Trends
Since Honda Accord debut in 1976 as a compact hatchback, the company has developed other models of different body styles such as a coupe, sedan and wagon. The line has gained a lot of popularity in the USA thanks to its 4-foor sedan version that has become one of the best-sellers in this country since 1989.
Current 9th generation Accord models are available in such body styles as a four-door sedan and a two-door coupe, all equipped with such modern technologies and conveniences as i-Mid system, dual-zone climate control, an LCD screen, a single angle camera, etc. as well as enhanced safety tools (forward collision warning system, blind spot monitor, etc.).
Honda Fit: Fitted with Best Features for Your Pleasure
The Honda Fit line belonging to the class of subcompact vehicles offers either a 5-door hatchback or a 5-door wagon front-engine configuration. Its interior is what the line is best known and praised for. Thanks to unique interior packaging idea, the Honda Fit is capable of competing with such larger automobiles as the Mazda Demio, Nissan Note and some other prominent rivals.
The Honda CR-V Crossover: a Compact Recreational Vehicle
The Honda CR-V may stand for “Compact Recreational Vehicle” or a “Comfortable Runabout Vehicle” in the United States (there is a lot controversy as to what CR-V stands for). The car is a typical representative of the compact four-door SUV class, or simply a crossover. Both front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive are available depending on the market.