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Honda

Automotive/ICE brands  •  Curated by Admin Timeline.sg

Honda history under Honda Motor Co.. Origin: Japan. Status: Active. Honda Motor Co., founded by Soichiro Honda in 1948, evolved from a motorcycle manufacturer into a global automotive powerhouse renowned for its efficient internal combustion engines, reliable passenger cars, and deep motorsport heritage.

Chronological Storyline (21 Milestones)

Sep 24, 1948 CE

Honda Motor Co. Founded

Soichiro Honda and Takeo Fujisawa established Honda Motor Co., Ltd. in Hamamatsu, Japan, initially focusing on motorcycle production before expanding into automobiles. #Japan #HondaMotor #Independent #Motorcycle · Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Honda

Logo von Honda
Logo von Honda
By Unknown author - SVG erstellt mit CorelDraw, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=52740022
Aug 1, 1963 CE

First Automobile Production Begins

Honda introduced its first production automobile, the T360 mini truck, followed shortly by the S500 sports car, marking its entry into the automotive market. #Japan #HondaMotor #DOHC #Independent · Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Honda_T360

HONDA T360 photographed in Honda Collection Hall.
HONDA T360 photographed in Honda Collection Hall.
By baku13 - Own work, CC BY-SA 2.1 jp, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=15674359
Aug 2, 1964 CE

Honda Enters Formula One

Honda made its Formula One debut at the 1964 German Grand Prix, becoming the first Japanese team to compete in F1 with their own chassis and engine. #Japan #HondaMotor #DOHC #F1 · Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Honda_RA271

F1 Honda RA271 1964 at 76th international Motorshow Geneva 2006
F1 Honda RA271 1964 at 76th international Motorshow Geneva 2006
By Semnoz - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=625309
May 11, 1972 CE

Honda Civic Debuts

The Honda Civic was introduced as a compact two-door coupe, featuring a lightweight CVCC engine that later passed US emissions standards without a catalytic converter. #Japan #HondaMotor #CVCC #Independent · Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Honda_Civic

Honda Civic e-HEV Sport (XI)
Honda Civic e-HEV Sport (XI)
By © M 93 - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0 de, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=153447431
Oct 1, 1973 CE

CVCC Engine Passes Clean Air Act

Honda's Compound Vortex Controlled Combustion (CVCC) engine became the first to meet the stringent 1975 US Clean Air Act standards without requiring a catalytic converter. #Japan #HondaMotor #CVCC #Independent · Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Honda_CVCC_engine

CVCC engine in the Honda Collection Hall
CVCC engine in the Honda Collection Hall
By 韋駄天狗 - Self-photographed, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=2071512
Jun 1, 1976 CE

Honda Accord Launched

The Honda Accord debuted as a larger, more upscale companion to the Civic, eventually becoming one of the best-selling cars in the United States. #Japan #HondaMotor #Inline4 #Independent · Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Honda_Accord

2023 Honda Accord LX photographed in Butler, Pennsylvania. Finished in Lunar Silver Metallic.
2023 Honda Accord LX photographed in Butler, Pennsylvania. Finished in Lunar Silver Metallic.
By MercurySable99 - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=134374921
Mar 27, 1986 CE

Acura Luxury Brand Launched

Honda introduced the Acura brand in North America, becoming the first Japanese automaker to create a dedicated luxury division with the Legend and Integra. #Japan #HondaMotor #V6Engine #Independent · Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Acura

This is a logo owned by Honda Motor Company Ltd. for Acura.
This is a logo owned by Honda Motor Company Ltd. for Acura.
By Basavarajtalwar - Own work, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=15525978
1988 CE

McLaren-Honda Dominates F1

Honda powered the McLaren MP4/4, winning 15 of 16 races and securing the Constructors' Championship with Ayrton Senna and Alain Prost. #Japan #HondaMotor #Turbocharged #F1 · Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/McLaren_MP4%2F4

McLaren MP4/4 (Chassis #5, driven by Ayrton Senna in 1988) and the Honda RA168E engine.
McLaren MP4/4 (Chassis #5, driven by Ayrton Senna in 1988) and the Honda RA168E engine.
By Morio - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=10416897
Apr 1, 1989 CE

VTEC System Introduced

Honda debuted the Variable Valve Timing and Lift Electronic Control (VTEC) system on the Integra, revolutionizing engine performance and efficiency. #Japan #HondaMotor #VTEC #Independent · Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/VTEC

Honda K24A 2.4L Straight-4 DOHC i-VTEC Engine installed in 2008 4th Honda Odyssey Absolute
Honda K24A 2.4L Straight-4 DOHC i-VTEC Engine installed in 2008 4th Honda Odyssey Absolute
By Hatsukari715 - Own work, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=3125366
May 1, 1990 CE

Honda NSX Goes on Sale

The Honda NSX (Acura NSX in North America), a mid-engine sports car co-developed with input from Ayrton Senna, challenged Ferrari with aluminum construction and VTEC. #Japan #HondaMotor #V6Engine #VTEC · Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Honda_NSX_(first_generation)

A w:Honda NSX, version NA1 (1990–1996), marketed as an w:Acura NSX in the United States, Canada and Hongkong. This car is a pre 1994 model (5 spoke wheels instead of 7 spoke wheels). Camera: FUJIFILM FinePix S7000 Exposure: 1/28 sec. Focal Length: 11mm Aperture: F/2.9 ISO: 200
A w:Honda NSX, version NA1 (1990–1996), marketed as an w:Acura NSX in the United States, Canada and Hongkong. This car is a pre 1994 model (5 spoke wheels instead of 7 spoke wheels). Camera: FUJIFILM FinePix S7000 Exposure: 1/28 sec. Focal Length: 11mm Aperture: F/2.9 ISO: 200
By ed g2s • talk - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=104672
Dec 1, 1999 CE

Honda Insight First Hybrid

Honda launched the Insight, the first hybrid electric vehicle available in North America, featuring lightweight aluminum construction and aerodynamic design. #Japan #HondaMotor #Hybrid #Independent · Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Honda_Insight_(first_generation)

2000 CE

BAR Honda F1 Partnership

Honda began a new era in Formula One by supplying engines to British American Racing (BAR), eventually buying the team in 2005. #Japan #HondaMotor #V10Engine #F1 · Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_American_Racing

Sep 1, 2001 CE

Honda Fit/Jazz Introduced

The Honda Fit (Jazz in Europe) was launched as a subcompact hatchback featuring a flexible fuel tank layout and Magic Seats, becoming a global sales success. #Japan #HondaMotor #Inline4 #Independent · Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Honda_Fit

Honda Jazz Hybrid Executive (IV)
Honda Jazz Hybrid Executive (IV)
By © M 93 - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0 de, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=95419935
2006 CE

Honda F1 Team Revival

Honda fully acquired BAR and rebranded it as the Honda Racing F1 Team, competing as a full works constructor until withdrawing in 2008. #Japan #HondaMotor #V8Engine #F1 · Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Honda_Racing_F1_Team

2015 CE

Honda Returns to F1 with McLaren

Honda returned to Formula One as an engine supplier for McLaren under the new turbo-hybrid V6 regulations, though the partnership struggled with reliability. #Japan #HondaMotor #Turbocharged #F1 · Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/McLaren-Honda

2017 CE

Honda Civic Type R Wins Nürburgring

The FK8 Honda Civic Type R set a front-wheel-drive lap record at the Nürburgring Nordschleife, solidifying its hot hatch credentials. #Japan #HondaMotor #Turbocharged #FWD · Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Honda_Civic_Type_R_(FK8)

Apr 23, 2021 CE

Honda Announces ICE Exit Strategy

Honda announced it would phase out 100% internal combustion engine vehicles by 2040, shifting entirely to battery electric and fuel cell electric vehicles. #Japan #HondaMotor #FuelCell #Independent · Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Honda

2021 CE

Honda Wins F1 Championship with Verstappen

Honda powered Max Verstappen and Red Bull Racing to the Formula One World Drivers' Championship in their final year as a named engine supplier. #Japan #HondaMotor #V6Engine #F1 · Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Red_Bull_Racing

Oct 1, 2022 CE

Red Bull Powertrains Partnership

Honda agreed to continue providing F1 engine technology to Red Bull Powertrains through 2025, maintaining its motorsport presence after the official factory exit. #Japan #HondaMotor #V6Engine #F1 · Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Red_Bull_Powertrains

2024 CE

Nissan-Honda Merger Talks

Honda and Nissan initiated discussions for a potential merger to create the world's third-largest automaker, driven by the need to share EV development costs. #Japan #HondaMotor #Independent #EV · Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Honda-Nissan_merger

2026 CE

Aston Martin F1 Works Partnership

Honda is set to return to Formula One as a full works engine partner for Aston Martin under the new 2026 power unit regulations. #Japan #HondaMotor #Hybrid #F1 · Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aston_Martin_in_Formula_One