Honda Motor Co., Ltd. ranks among the world’s largest automobile and motorcycle manufacturers. Founded in 1948 in Hamamatsu, Japan, the company grew from a small motorcycle engine workshop into a global mobility leader.
Honda produces over 14 million internal combustion engines annually, making it the world’s largest engine manufacturer by volume. The company became the largest motorcycle producer in 1959 and has held that position for over six decades.
Beyond vehicles, Honda manufactures aircraft through HondaJet, develops robotics including ASIMO, and produces power equipment ranging from generators to marine engines. The company operates in 140 countries through manufacturing plants across Asia, North America, Europe, and South America.
Honda Motor History
Honda Motor Co-founders
Honda Motor Competitors
Honda competes across multiple segments including automobiles, motorcycles, and power equipment. The company holds approximately 8.5% of the U.S. automotive market and leads the global motorcycle market with over 33% share.
| Company | Headquarters | Primary Segment |
|---|---|---|
| Toyota Motor | Japan | Automobiles, Hybrids |
| Nissan Motor | Japan | Automobiles, Electric Vehicles |
| Volkswagen Group | Germany | Automobiles, Commercial Vehicles |
| Hyundai Motor | South Korea | Automobiles, Electric Vehicles |
| Ford Motor | United States | Automobiles, Trucks |
| General Motors | United States | Automobiles, Trucks |
| BMW Group | Germany | Luxury Automobiles, Motorcycles |
| Suzuki Motor | Japan | Motorcycles, Compact Cars |
| Yamaha Motor | Japan | Motorcycles, Marine |
| Kawasaki Heavy Industries | Japan | Motorcycles, Industrial |
Honda Motor Revenue
Honda generated approximately $143 billion in revenue during fiscal year 2024. The automobile segment accounts for the largest share, followed by motorcycles and financial services. North America and Asia represent the company’s strongest markets.
Honda Motor Market Cap
Honda’s market capitalization stands at approximately $39.89 billion as of December 2025. This ranks the company as the 583rd most valuable company globally. The stock trades on both the Tokyo Stock Exchange and New York Stock Exchange.
Honda Motor Acquisitions
Honda has historically favored organic growth and joint ventures over major acquisitions. The company prefers developing technology internally and forming strategic partnerships rather than purchasing competitors outright.
In 1979, Honda established its first manufacturing operations in the United States, building the Marysville Motorcycle Plant in Ohio. This strategy of building new facilities rather than acquiring existing manufacturers became Honda’s standard approach. The Marysville Auto Plant followed in 1982, making Honda the first Japanese automaker to produce cars in North America.
Honda created joint ventures across Asia to enter new markets. Hero Honda Motorcycles in India became one of the world’s largest two-wheeler manufacturers before the partnership ended in 2010. Guangzhou Honda and Dongfeng Honda serve the Chinese market through similar arrangements. These ventures allowed market access without substantial acquisition costs.
The company launched Acura in 1986 as an internally developed luxury brand rather than acquiring an existing luxury manufacturer. This approach contrasted with competitors who purchased established brands. Honda Aircraft Company grew from internal research that began in 1986, culminating in FAA certification for HondaJet in 2015.
In October 2019, Honda announced talks with Hitachi to merge their automotive parts subsidiaries. The resulting company would have nearly $17 billion in annual sales. Honda and General Motors formed an alliance in 2020 to share vehicle platforms and jointly develop electric vehicles. In December 2024, Honda and Nissan announced plans to form a joint holding company, though talks collapsed in February 2025 due to strategic disagreements.
FAQs
When was Honda Motor founded?
Honda Motor Co., Ltd. was founded on September 24, 1948, by Soichiro Honda and Takeo Fujisawa in Hamamatsu, Japan.
What does Honda manufacture?
Honda manufactures automobiles, motorcycles, power equipment, marine engines, aircraft through HondaJet, and robotics including the ASIMO humanoid robot.
Where is Honda Motor headquartered?
Honda Motor Co., Ltd. is headquartered in Minato, Tokyo, Japan. The company operates manufacturing plants in over 30 countries worldwide.
Is Honda the largest motorcycle manufacturer?
Yes, Honda has been the world’s largest motorcycle manufacturer since 1959. The company reached 500 million motorcycle production units in May 2025.
What is Honda’s best-selling vehicle?
The Honda Super Cub motorcycle is the most produced motor vehicle in history. In the U.S., the CR-V, Accord, and Civic rank as Honda’s top-selling automobiles.
