Honda

Honda Motor Co., Ltd. (本田技研工業株式会社 Honda Giken Kōgyō Kabushiki Kaisha) {{tyo|7267}}, {{nyse|HMC}} is a Japanese manufacturer of automobiles, trucks, motorcycles, and scooters. They also make ATVs, water craft, electrical generators, marine engines, and lawn and garden equipment. With more than 14 million internal combustion engines built each year, Honda is the largest engine-maker in the world. In 2004, the company began to produce diesel motors, which were both very quiet whilst not requiring particulate filters to pass pollution standards. Honda's high-end line of cars are branded Acura in North America. Many Japanese automakers have well-earned reputations for dependability and longevity, with production being well quality-controlled. Honda automobiles have developed something of a cult status in terms of reliability, even above other Japanese brands, with many owners never having any major problems for the vehicle's life.

Racing history

Soichiro Honda, being a race driver himself, could not stay out of international motorsport. In 1959, Honda entered five motorcycles into the Isle of Man TT race, the most prestigious motorcycle race in the world. While always having good power, it took until 1961 for Honda to tune their chassis well enough to allow Mike Hailwood to claim their first race victories in the 125 and 250 cc classes. Hailwood would later pick up their first senior TT win in 1966.

Related Topics:
Motorsport - 1959 - Isle of Man TT - 1961 - Mike Hailwood - Cc - 1966

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

In 1968, Jo Schlesser was killed in a Honda RA302 at the French Grand Prix. This racing tragedy, coupled with their commercial difficulties selling automobiles in the United States, prompted Honda to withdraw from all international motorsport that year.

Related Topics:
1968 - Jo Schlesser - French Grand Prix - United States

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

In 2003, Honda became an engine supplier to the Indy Racing League. In 2004, Honda-powered cars won 14 of 16 IRL events, including the Indianapolis 500, and claimed the IRL Manufacturers' Championship, Drivers' Championship and Rookie of the Year titles.

Related Topics:
2003 - Indy Racing League

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Formula One

Honda also surprised everyone by entering Grand Prix racing in 1963, just three short years after producing their first road car. They began development in 1962 of the RA271 and startled the European-dominated Formula One garages with their all-Japanese factory team (except for American drivers Ronnie Bucknum and Richie Ginther). More startling was the fact that Honda built their own engine and chassis, something only Ferrari had traditionally done. In only their second year of competition, Honda reached the coveted top step of the podium with Ginther's win in the RA272 at the 1965 Mexican Grand Prix. Honda backed up their Grand Prix victory by dominating the 1966 Formula 2 season, winning every race that year with Jack Brabham's team.

Related Topics:
Grand Prix racing - 1963 - 1962 - European - Ronnie Bucknum - Richie Ginther - Ferrari - 1965 Mexican Grand Prix - 1966 - Jack Brabham - Team

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Honda returned to Formula One in 1983 as an engine supplier for Spirit and stayed in the sport for a decade, at various times teaming with Lotus, McLaren, Tyrrell and Williams. Honda supplied engines to six constructor champions, as well as five driver championships, before dropping out of the sport again.

Related Topics:
1983 - Spirit - Lotus - McLaren - Tyrrell - Williams - Constructor champions

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Honda returned yet again in 2000, providing engines for BAR; after a tough few years, they were able to achieve second place in the 2004 Formula One season. In mid-November 2004 Honda purchased 45% of the team from British American Tobacco (BAT, the founder and owner of BAR) and in September 2005 purchased the remaining 55% share to become the sole owner. BAT will continue as title sponsor with the Lucky Strike brand in 2006, but will withdraw entirely from Formula One after that. It has not yet been decided under what name the team will race in 2006.

Related Topics:
2000 - BAR - 2004 Formula One season - British American Tobacco - Lucky Strike

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

In all, Honda-powered cars have won 75 Grands Prix.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~