Ciclomotor. Honda. C25. 1954.

A SPARK TRIGGER

A Spark Trigger Captivated by the roar of the engines, hooked up to the power of the combustion, Soichiro Honda was born to create vehicles even before you can lead them. What I carried in the blood. Born in November 1906, and the third son of a blacksmith, the interest of Soichiro Honda in the machines began while helping his father to repair and maintain the bikes. But it is at a time in his childhood when hooked hopelessly and for ever, throughout his illustrious career that has made Honda what it is today – in a casual encounter with a combustion engine.

On their way to the city, as a kid, Soichiro heard the unmistakable sound of a car – a rare encounter in the early TWENTIETH century in Japan. While others looked on, confused and frightened by the noise, the boy simply turned and ran after him, "I returned, and reach was the most important thing in the world for me? he said later. "I could not understand how it moved by its own means. Without knowing why, I found myself chasing him down the road, running as fast as you could?.

With the knowledge of engineering and mechanics acquired thanks to his father, in 1937, Soichiro opened a factory of piston ring and began to study metallurgy. In 1946, the eve of World War II, he sold his business to found the Honda Technical Research Institute (Honda Technical Research). Considering the imperative need of essential transportation in a Japan torn by war, brought together a team of people imbued by the same ideas, and in 1948 established Honda Motor Co. I was now about to begin his true task.

During the 50s, Soichiro produced large amount of innovative designs that have made Honda the world leader in motorcycle engineering. Inspired by the racing of the TT of the Isle of Man (Tourist Trophy), when he visited Europe for the first time in 1954, Soichiro set as a goal to succeed in racing, knowing that this could benefit greatly from Honda and its excellent engineering. When he retired in 1973 he left the company in the capable hands of Kiyoshi Kawashima. Then, Soichiro, was totally dedicated to the Foundation, Honda, seeking harmony between technology and the environment. Having fulfilled countless dreams over half a century, that young man, still enchanted by his first encounter with a motor vehicle, in those dusty streets, died in 1991.

THE POWER OF DREAMS

Founded in a Japan still devastated by the ravages of war, the phenomenal global expansion of Honda started in 1959, ironically, the same year in which the company participated for the first time in the TT of the Isle of Man, reaching the 6th place in his first appearance.

A fortunate combination of events that symbolize the love of Honda for the flag checkered. Understanding that success in competition would be the key to world-wide sales, Soichiro Honda decided with determination to match and exceed the highest standards of engineering. The first victory for Honda at the TT was achieved in 1961, when it reached the three first places both in the category of 125 and the 250cc, giving rise to the beginning of a period of massive and ambitious expansion that would transform the world rider.

In Europe, production began in Belgium in 1963, with the production of scooters in the premises of Honda Benelux. Honda also opened more centers, in France and in the UK, and created the Asian Honda Motor Co. in Thailand. In 1969, Honda launched their sport bike more innovative at the moment, the CB750 4-cylinder – a milestone in the history of the design of motorcycles. For 1970, the range of Honda motorcycles it covered everything from scooters to superbikes, and set up facilities for local production in regions such as Brazil and Mexico;

Soon it was able to Honda to cover the demands from all over the world. In 1978, he founded Honda Europe in Belgium, offering Honda the trampoline perfect for jumping into the European market. The 70's also brought new achievements in motocross, endurance and trial. A flawless season of racing was witnessed as Honda did with the 500cc title in 1983, and slowly but surely obtained the supremacy in full in the Great Prizes.

Honda manufactures now motorcycles at 28 locations in 21 countries, With four divisions of major global – Japan, the Americas, Asia and Europe – the production of motorcycles recently surpassed the incredible figure of 150 million units. After more than 50 years of progression and expansion perfect, the spirit of innovation is stronger than ever, designing and building each bike with the same passion and conviction that when Soichiro created the Dream of two times in 1949.