Honda Motor Company Ltd. is a renowned Japanese company recognized for its automobiles and motorcycles. It stands as Japan’s second largest automaker and the world’s fifth largest. Honda has made significant contributions to society by providing an extensive array of products, encompassing cars, trucks, generators, and motorcycles. Nevertheless, it was the motorcycle that played a pivotal role in Honda’s ascension to triumph and its evolution into a worldwide phenomenon. Acknowledged for its inventive concepts and remarkable engineering prowess, Honda’s acclaimed car models consist of the Civic and Accord.
Honda, a well-known automaker in the western market, has built a strong brand reputation for its stylish and high-quality cars. The company’s goal is to provide luxurious and high-performing vehicles to its customers. However, Honda’s business is influenced by various internal and external factors. Soichiro Honda, the founder of Honda Motor Co. Ltd., initially started as an apprentice at Art Shokai, a famous car repair workshop in Tokyo. Through his unwavering dedication and exceptional skills, he later opened his own Art Shokai shop in Hamamatsu, Japan.
The Honda Technical Research Institute was founded in a shop in 1946, and it was there that Soichiro Honda introduced his initial invention: a bicycle equipped with an engine. Within two years, the location underwent an official renaming to become the Honda Motor Company Ltd. With an initial capital of around ?1 million and a workforce of 34 employees (including Soichiro Honda), the company’s primary focus centered on motorcycle development and production. Subsequently, in 1958, Soichiro Honda unveiled the Super Cub motorcycle in Japan, propelling Honda to emerge as a prominent manufacturer within seven years in the Japanese motorcycle industry.
Honda entered the international market in 1959 by establishing its first dealership in Los Angeles, California. By 1963, Honda became the top motorcycle brand in the U.S., selling almost 100,000 motorcycles within a month in 1961. In 1968, Honda reached the milestone of selling one million bikes. By the late 80s, Honda dominated with a 60% share of the global motorcycle market and was manufacturing about 3 million motorcycles by the early 90s. Additionally, Honda Motor Company initiated research and development for car production in preparation for future ventures in the automotive industry starting from 1958.
In 1962, Honda unveiled the S360 and S500 Honda Sports series, as well as the T360 mini pick-up truck at the 9th Japan National Auto Show. Despite the S360 not reaching the market, the T360 debuted in August 1963 and was followed by the release of the S500 sports car in October. In 2008, Honda Motor Company Ltd., Toyota, and BMW were recognized among the top 20 World’s Most Admired Companies. Honda Motor Co. Ltd. stood out as one of the early automobile companies prioritizing environmental conservation. The company remains dedicated to minimizing its global impact on both corporate activities and products through initiatives such as their comprehensive system called Honda LCA that evaluates environmental effects from development to product disposal.
Honda Motor Co. Ltd. has implemented the Green Factory program across all its subsidiaries and affiliates to monitor CO2 emissions, energy and water usage, and landfill waste. The company is dedicated to continuously reducing waste. Additionally, Honda has made substantial progress in creating eco-friendly hybrid car models. In 1999, they introduced the Insight, a two-door hybrid vehicle that was the pioneering model of its kind widely accessible in the United States.
Honda introduced the CR-Z, a highly acclaimed car with EPA mileage ratings of 61 mpg city and 70 mpg highway, in February 2010. This hybrid vehicle joined Honda’s existing hybrid family and features a 1.5-liter i-VTEC engine. It offers fuel efficiency of 22.5 km/liter with a six-speed manual transmission and 25.0 km/liter with a continuous variable transmission (CVT). The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport conducted tests to verify the CR-Z’s fuel economy and environmental performance, which have been successfully validated.
To ensure ethical purchasing practices, Honda Motor Co., Ltd., along with other major corporations, has established written policies that demonstrate their commitment to this cause. Honda has specifically developed the Honda Green Purchasing Guidelines as an additional measure to promote responsible procurement practices. These guidelines guarantee that all purchased parts and materials comply with Honda’s environmental protection principles.
Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) in Honda Motor Company is shaped by the philosophy of its founders, Soichiro Honda and Takeo Fujisawa. This CSR framework establishes a code of conduct and guides executive decisions, with the aim of aligning all Group companies and employees with a common set of values. These values are rooted in the company’s fundamental belief in respecting individuals and embracing the “Three Joys” (buying, selling, and creating), alongside its principles and management policies.
Honda’s commitment is to provide affordable high-quality products worldwide, aiming to ensure customer satisfaction. The company’s fundamental principles comprise valuing individual initiative, promoting equality, and fostering trust. Honda defines initiative as thinking creatively and taking responsibility for one’s ideas and decisions. Equality means offering equal opportunities irrespective of race, religion, gender, creed, educational background, national origin, social status or economic status. Trust is established on the belief that employees should have faith in each other.
Honda follows the principles of receiving help when offered and providing assistance when needed, promoting the concept called the “Three Joys.” This philosophy aims for every person who engages with Honda or its products to feel joy. Furthermore, Honda’s management approach prioritizes genuine and efficient work. They encourage innovation, dedication, and above all, enjoyment among their staff members. These values align with Honda’s dedication to social responsibility.
Honda Motor Company Ltd. is dedicated to making a positive impact in the world through various initiatives. In Canada, they offer scholarships for underprivileged children and sponsor events that educate young minds about endangered species and conservation methods. They also organize literacy circles to improve reading skills for second and third graders, hold Clean-Up Day to support local flora and fauna, and sponsor marathons and other activities to raise funds for cancer research.
On a global scale, Honda has played a significant role in providing healthcare checkups to underprivileged individuals in countries like India. In addition to this, Honda carries out various other social responsibilities such as disaster training and agricultural counseling for farmers. They also organize tree planting events, annual blood drives, and offer relief to victims of earthquakes and floods. Honda’s philanthropic activities also aim to raise funds for children with mental and physical disabilities. Overall, Honda Motor Company Ltd. makes substantial contributions to society. As a result of their End-of-Life recycling law, Honda Motor Co. outsources certain processes.
Ltd. must ensure proper disposal of CFC’s in car air conditioners without emitting them into the air. They are currently outsourcing the recovery, transportation, and destruction of CFC’s to Japan Auto Recycling Partnership. Additionally, Honda Motor Co. Ltd. is also outsourcing the collection and recycling processes of airbags and inflators to the same company. Fair treatment of workers and customers is a priority for Honda Motor Company Ltd., as they strongly believe in treating all associates, customers, and shareholders fairly. As mentioned previously in the CSR report, Honda actively promotes diversity in their workforce.
They believe in creating healthy working environments. Honda Motor Company provides various opportunities for associates to enhance their abilities, such as on-the-job training, off-the-job training, two-way communication, and NH Circle activities. Additionally, they have an improving suggestion system. The company values trust and respect for individual differences and encourages communication with labor unions based on this philosophy. Honda also prioritizes the health and safety of its workers and offers programs in this area. Ultimately, customer satisfaction is of utmost importance to Honda. They believe that profit, labor, and recognition are meaningless if the customer is not satisfied with the final product.
Honda Motor Company conducts surveys to gather customer feedback and analyze the results for improvement suggestions. The Honda Customer Relations Center is always available to address inquiries or concerns.
With a history spanning 62 years, Honda Motor Co. Ltd. has become a prominent manufacturer in motorcycles and automobiles. Their significant accomplishments in manufacturing and design have greatly impacted the automotive industry over the past 50 years.
Honda Motor Co. Ltd. is committed to ensuring quality, comfort, and safety in their range of products such as motorcycles, cars, and power products. They are focused on developing innovative products and technologies to meet the future needs of consumers.
With research and development, manufacturing facilities, and sales networks across various regions, Honda aims to satisfy the diverse demands of their customers. In every aspect – design, manufacturing, corporate affairs, environmental conservation, and philanthropy – Honda Motor Co. Ltd. will continuously work towards becoming the preferred company.
