How Honda Began

With Erie's own Roar on the Shore, a fundraising bike rally, now behind us, it's no wonder motorcycles are still on our minds! Honda started out producing some of the earliest motorcycles that you now see on today's roads, but how has Honda evolved from producing simple motorbikes to producing some of America's top choice automobiles, jets and power equipment?

The 1940's. Honda all started back in 1946 when Soichiro Honda decided it was time to introduce Honda Technical Institute in his home country of Japan to develop and produce small 2-cycle motorbike engines. In 1947, the A-type bicycle engine is the first product to be generated from Honda. By the time 1948 rolled around, Honda Motor Company, Ltd. was created.

The 1950's. 1959, over a decade after Honda Motor Company, Ltd. was introduced to the market, saw American Honda Motor Co., Inc. be established in Los Angeles, making it the first store to be created for Honda. It was in September of that year when the Honda Dream, Benley, and Honda 50 (all of which are small motorcycles) were being sold to the market.

The 1960's. In 1962, the company began to sell power equipment products in the United States, thus broadening Honda's product range. 1969 saw a huge debut for the company- their first automobile to be sold in America, the Honda N600.

The 1970's. The Civic was born in 1973. In 1979, the CR250M Elsinore motorcycle lead Honda to become the first Japanese automaker to make parts domestically (domestic and globally sourced parts).

The 1980's. In 1982, Honda of America Mfg., Inc. started to produce the Accord in a new plant in Ohio, making Honda the first Japanese automaker to build cars in America.

The 1990's thru Today: Various advances in automotive technology have occurred for Honda in the last two decades including the introduction of the first hybrid automobile in 1999 (2000 Honda Insight). Even today, our employees at Bianchi Honda are enjoying their Honda motorcycles during this summer season. The bike is what started it all! For more information on Honda's history, please see www.corporate.honda.com