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Honda and Suzuki cars

The Honda Motor Company began in 1948, but the founder’s history with cars and motors began much sooner.  Soichiro Honda was an apprentice for a shop in Tokyo in the 1920’s.   By1946, Honda launched the Honda Technical Research Institute, which became the Honda Motor Company in 1948.  Honda was first known for the manufacture of motorcycles.  This focus remained true through the 1950’s. Honda launched his Juno scooter as a means of competing with Italy's Vespa scooter, and sales took off. This is where Honda made its name known internationally. In the 1970’s Honda began exporting their passenger car, the Civic to the United States. 

The Civic quickly became one of the most successful family automobiles.  Soon after, Honda began production of the Accord, another passenger vehicle. Honda was also responsible for the creation of the high end Acura line.  The Honda brand is known across a variety of vehicle markets for the unsurpassed quality and innovation. Honda is going green with environmentally friendly Honda cars such as the Insight,a hybrid vehicle produced to compete with the hybrid created by competitor Toyota.  It has a slightly lower fuel economy, but also a lower price tag. It immediately became Japan's best-selling vehicle, becoming the first hybrid to top the list. With the growing innovation and proven quality, the Honda is surely a safe bet, when buying used or brand new.

Suzuki is now known for motorcycles and passenger Suzuki cars but the company’s roots were in a totally different market.  In 1909 Michio Suzuki, at the age of 22, opened Suzuki Loom Works to follow in the family business of textiles, woodworking and looms.  Suzuki opened the company to build his pedal driven wooden loom.  At the time, this was quite a break-through for the textile industry.  By 1920, Suzuki Loom Works became Suzuki Loom Manufacturing Company.  The Suzuki name has been tied to the term innovation for good reason.  As time went on, Suzuki had a son and included him in the business.  After World War I, Shuno Suzuki designed a motor that could attach to a bicycle and allowed the rider to free wheel with the motor running, pedal assist the motor, or ride without the motor running . 

The government of Japan was so impressed with his invention that they donated funding to help him continue his research into developing the motorcycle.  In 1952, the completely motorized bicycle hit the road.  In 1955, the company changed its name once again to Suzuki Motor Company.  Shortly after, the company introduced a lightweight passenger vehicle which was a first for Japan.  By 1963, Suzuki had begun motorcycle sales in the United States.  More innovation followed: Suzuki manufactured their first ATV in 1983, just twenty years later.  For the next twenty years or so, Suzuki continued to manufacture motorcycles, sedans, SUVs, and ATVs.  In the year 2000, Suzuki was named the fastest growing Japanese auto company in the United States by Automotive News.  Ever since, Suzuki has made their name known in a wide variety of markets and is known worldwide for their quality affordable products.