About

, Ltd. He was born on November 17, 1906, in Kōmyō village, Japan. Honda had a passion for machines from a young age and became fascinated with automobiles after seeing his first car as a teenager. In 1937, Honda established the Honda Technical Research Institute, which later became Honda Motor Co. , Ltd. He initially focused on producing piston rings for Toyota but soon expanded into motorcycle manufacturing. Honda's innovative motorcycles gained popularity in Japan, and by the 1960s, Honda was the world's largest motorcycle producer. In the 1960s, Honda began producing automobiles and quickly gained a reputation for their reliability and fuel efficiency. This led to Honda's success in the global automotive market, with models like the Civic and Accord becoming best-selling cars. Honda also invested in research and development, pioneering environmentally friendly technology such as hybrid and fuel-cell vehicles. Apart from his business ventures, Honda was known for his eccentric and hands-on leadership style. He was involved in every aspect of the company's operations, from designing engines to testing prototypes. Honda believed in continuous improvement and often said, "Success is 99% failure. " Throughout his career, he emphasized innovation, quality, and the pursuit of dreams. Soichiro Honda received numerous accolades and awards for his contributions to the automotive industry. He retired as Honda's president in 1973 but remained active in the company until his passing on August 5, 1991. Honda's legacy continues to thrive as Honda Motor Co. , Ltd. remains one of the world's leading automotive manufacturers.