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Soichiro Honda
Honda Motor · Hamamatsu, Japan
Self-taught mechanic with no formal engineering degree. Built post-war Japan's most enduring industrial brand by racing — and losing — until he won.
Self-taughtRacing as R&DHands-on engineering
Company
Honda Motor
Journey
Moves that mattered.
- 1946Founded Honda Technical Research Institute post-war.
- 1949Built first complete motorcycle — the Dream D.
- 1959Entered US market. Beat Harley at its own game.
- 1972Civic launched. Honda became a global car brand.
Struggles
Wartime bombings destroyed his factory twice. Mocked by Toyota and Japanese banks for 'lacking discipline'.
Family
Married to Sachi. Two sons. Refused to let his children inherit the company — meritocracy.
Related on Empire
Keep reading inside Empire.
Around the web
External references & backlinks.
- ↗wikipedia.orgSoichiro Honda on Wikipedia
- ↗google.comHonda Motor — official site
- ↗news.google.comSoichiro Honda in the news
- ↗crunchbase.comHonda Motor on Crunchbase
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The full story
Soichiro Honda, in 1 chapters.
- Ch 01
The story
Self-taught mechanic with no formal engineering degree. Built post-war Japan's most enduring industrial brand by racing — and losing — until he won.
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