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Honda Timeline
2004
• ProHonda FC Stack, a next generation fuel cell stack capable of cold-starts and operation at temperatures as low as minus 20 C developed.
• Cumulative production in US reaches 10 million.
• Production of CR-V commences in China.
• Second line at Alabama plant in US commences.
2003
April
• Production of the Fit small car model begins in Brazil.
• Honda announces plan to begin auto sales in Republic of Korea in 2004.
March
• Honda joins Indy Racing League open wheel racing series for 2003 season.
• Honda announces joint market feasibility study with Teledyne Continental Motors, Inc. for a next-generation piston aviation engine developed by Honda.
January
• Cumulative production of the Super Cub motorcycle reaches 35 million units.
• Honda Power Equipment Mfg. in Swepsonville, NC announces $30 million expansion to increase general purpose engine production to 1.5 million units.
• Cumulative production of auto engines in Ohio reaches the10 million mark.
2002
December
• Honda Fit series finishes 2002 as best-selling car in Japan, a first for Honda. Fit also goes on sale in Europe as "Jazz" model.
• Honda's China auto plant announces plan to increase production capacity to 240,000 units in 2004, with a corresponding increase in engine production.
• Honda of South Carolina Mfg. in Timmonsville, SC begins production of personal watercraft.
• American Honda sales of Honda and Acura cars and light trucks achieves record of more than 1.25 million units - 6th straight year of record auto sales, including more than 1 million low emission vehicles.
• Honda's FCX fuel cell vehicle delivered to first customers in Japan and U.S. simultaneously.
November
• Japan version of all-new Accord earns the 2002-03 Japan Car of the Year Award - 3rd straight year a Honda model earned the award.
• Honda auto production in the U.S. reaches the 20-year milestone.
October
• Honda models earn four of the top five places in the U.S. Department of Energy's list of the most fuel efficient cars in America - Insight is number one.
September
• 2003 Honda Accord introduced with top class safety performance.
August
• Honda introduces a new rapid- and wide-deploying side curtain air bag technology that protects both front and rear passengers - the all-new 2003 Accord is the first model to receive the new technology.
July
• Honda announces "Global Networking" strategy to make efficient use of global production resources including expansion of auto production capacity in North America to 1.4 million units in late 2004.
• Honda FCX becomes first fuel cell vehicle in the world to earn certification from U.S. EPA and the state of California (CARB).
• Honda launches new Today scooter made in China to Japanese market.
April
• Honda begins exports of the CR-V from its U.K. plant to the U.S.
March
• Honda begins Intelligent Community Vehicle System (ICVS), a new community transportation system in the Republic of Singapore.
February
• Honda introduces AquaTrax, company's first personal watercraft.
• Honda celebrates 25th anniversary of listing on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) as ASIMO humanoid robot rings opening bell for trading.
January
• Honda launches new high performance BF175 outboard motor achieving low emissions exceeding year 2008 requirements in California (CARB).
• Honda begins rental of ASIMO humanoid robots in Japan.
• U.K. auto plant begins export of Civic Si to North America.
• Civic Diesel debuts in Europe - utilizing Isuzu-made 1.7-liter diesel engine.
• Honda establishes motorcycle R&D center in China.
2001
December
• Honda introduces first mass market gas-electric hybrid car with the introduction of the Civic Hybrid.
• Civic Type-R goes on sale in Japan - first Honda vehicle to be imported from U.K.
• Honda Accord recaptures the best selling car title in the U.S. in 2001.
November
• Honda Manufacturing of Alabama begins production with Odyssey minivan.
• Fit earns the 2001-2002 Japan Car of the Year Award.
• New joint venture company in China, Sundiro Honda Motorcycle, starts production of jointly developed M-LIVING motorcycle.
• Honda establishes new subsidiary in Republic of Korea for motorcycle sales.
• North American auto production reaches 10 million-unit milestone.September
• Gold Wing GL1800 named "motorcycle of the year" by Motorcyclist magazine, powerful touring bike also meets California's strict 2008 emission standard.
• American Honda Motor Co. announces that all 2002 Honda and Acura cars and light trucks to meet Low Emission Vehicle (LEV) requirements or better.
• New Hosoe Plant in Japan begins production outboard engines.
July
• Honda production operations in Thailand produce 10 millionth product - including automobiles, motorcycles and power products.
• Honda's second U.K. auto plant begins production.
• Honda R&D Americas opens first hydrogen production and fueling station in Southern California, part of Honda's support of fuel cell vehicle development.
• Honda launches 1800cc Gold Wing sports touring motorcycle in the U.S.
June
• Honda launches Fit small car on all-new global small car platform - using all-new i-DSI (Dual & Sequential Ignition) engine.
May
• Honda announces development of a new-generation 2-liter class diesel engine for European market.
March
• Honda Motor Co., Ltd. announces the development of a breakthrough emissions control system in conjunction with Catalytic Solutions, Inc. which greatly reduces the use of precious metals.
February
• Honda Civic GX natural gas vehicle becomes first car certified as Partial Zero Emission Vehicle (P-ZEV).
January
• Acura MDX named North American Truck of the Year.
• Honda begins global effort to innovate all motorcycle and power products factories to flexible "New Manufacturing System," similar to innovation at its major auto plants.
2000
• American Honda launches its first mid-size SUV, the U.S.-designed, developed and engineered Acura MDX - produced in Canada.
• Honda introduces new humanoid robot, ASIMO.
• Civic Coupe achieves 5-star ratings for both frontal and side impact tests by NHTSA and a "good" rating for offset barrier crash tests by IIHS.
• Civic line up earns the 2000-01 Japan Car of the Year Award.
• Honda purchases interest in FuelMaker Corp., a maker of natural gas refueling systems.
• Honda earns 500th World Grand Prix motorcycle race.
• Honda earns 6th consecutive driver's championship on CART auto racing series.
• Honda begins testing FCX-V3 fuel cell vehicle through California Fuel Cell Partnership.
• Accord reaches 5 million cumulative production total in U.S.
• Two-millionth Civic produced in Ohio.
• Honda Power Equipment Mfg. $16 million expansion triples general purpose engine capacity from 300,000 units to 1 million units.
• Honda Accord becomes first Super Low Emission Vehicle (SULEV) on the market on sale in California, four years ahead of the state's requirements.
• All of Honda's manufacturing facilities in Japan eliminate waste products that would require landfill disposal.
• Honda of South Carolina Mfg. invests $20 million to add engine assembly to the plant's ATV assembly operations.
• Honda introduces "Polar II" pedestrian test dummy with injury data measurement capability.
• Cumulative power product sales reach 40 million units on global basis.
• Honda establishes 5th region in South America as part of global structure that includes regional operations in North America, Europe/Middle East/Africa, Asia/Oceania and Japan.
• Honda opens world's first indoor car-to-car omni-directional crash safety test facility in Tochigi, Japan.
• Honda begins testing in Japan of Honda Intelligent Driver Support (HIDS) system that helps maintain vehicle a safe distance from other vehicles.
• Honda begins third era of Formula One Grand Prix auto racing participation.
1999
• Honda Insight becomes first gas-electric hybrid car sold in the U.S.
• Honda announces global powertrain production system calling for the integration of engine assembly operations closer to vehicle assembly.
• Honda and GM establish powertrain cross-supply agreement in which GM will use a Honda V-6 Ultra Low Emission engine and transmission and Isuzu will supply Honda with diesel engines for the European market.
• Honda announces innovation of auto plants in Japan to the flexible "New Manufacturing System" that will be installed in all of Honda's major global auto plants by fall 2002.
• Honda announces new company-wide year 2005 targets for fuel-consumption and exhaust gas emissions for Honda motorcycles, automobiles and power products.
• Honda fuel cell prototype vehicles FCX-V1 and FCX-V2 are introduced.
• American Honda passes the $10 billion mark in exports of automobiles, motorcycles, power products and key components from North America.
• Honda begins Intelligent Community Vehicle System (ICVS) called "Intellishare" at the University of California-Riverside using Honda's EV PLUS electric vehicles.
• Honda announces next generation of 4-cylinder i-VTEC engines that offer new level of high fuel economy, low emissions and outstanding performance.
• Honda begins auto production in China with Accord sedan.
1998
• American Honda passes the 1 million mark in annual sales of Honda and Acura cars and light trucks for the first time in company history.
• The Honda Civic GX natural gas vehicle goes into production in Ohio - it has been called by the U.S. EPA the cleanest internal combustion engine ever tested.
• Honda of South Carolina Mfg. begins production of ATVs at new $30 million plant in Timmonsville, S.C.
• Civic 5-door developed by Honda R&D Europe and built in the U.K. is introduced.
• Auto production begins in India.
• Hiroyuki Yoshino becomes fifth president and CEO of Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
• Honda Motor Co., Ltd. celebrates 50th anniversary.
• American Honda exports the 500,000th North American-built car.
• Honda Interceptor named "Motorcycle of the Year" by Motorcyclist magazine.
• New second line at Honda of Canada Mfg. begins production of Honda's first full-size 1999 Odyssey minivan - which goes on sale in the U.S. and Canada.
1997
• Auto production begins in Brazil and Turkey.
• Motorcycle production begins in Vietnam.
• Cumulative global motorcycle production reaches 100 million units.
• Cumulative global power equipment production reaches 30 million units.
• Ultra-small 360-degree inclinable 4-stroke power equipment engine announced.
• Honda announces research project including two new turbofan jet engine prototypes for small aircraft and an experimental jet plane.
• Twin Ring Motegi motorsports complex begins operations.
• All-new 1998 Accord introduced with unique designs for the U.S., Japan, and Europe but using the same flexible platform.
• Civic and Accord Low Emission Vehicle (LEV) sales begin in all 50 states.
• Accord Ultra Low Emission Vehicle (ULEV) sales begin in California.
• Honda's EV PLUS electric vehicle goes on sale in California.
• J.D. Power and Associates awards its Platinum Prize for quality to the Marysville, Ohio, Auto Plant and Gold Prize for quality to the Sayama Plant in Japan.
1996
• Honda introduces first prototype humanoid robot, called P3.
• Honda Motor Co.'s Honda Dream solar car breaks speed and time records at the World Solar Challenge in Australia.
• Honda captures all three major awards on the 1996 PPG IndyCar World Series racing circuit - top manufacturer, top rookie and top driver.
• Honda's Marysville, Ohio, Motorcycle Plant produces its 1 millionth vehicle - a Gold Wing Aspencade.
• Honda announces an accelerated "Strategy for the Americas" with a 50% expansion in U.S. automobile engine and automatic transmission production.
• New Honda plant in Thailand begins production with City sedan designed exclusively for local Asian markets.
• Honda introduces Intelligent Community Vehicle System (ICVS) in Japan in which consumers share limited number of vehicles in conjunction with mass transit.
• The Acura Division introduces the CL series, the first U.S.-designed, engineered and manufactured model offered by a luxury import nameplate.
1995
• Automobile Magazine names the Honda Civic the 1996 Automobile of the Year.
• The Honda Civic receives the 1995-96 Japan Car of the Year Award.
• Honda de Mexico begins production of automobiles for the Mexican market.
• The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency releases 1996 fuel economy rankings with four Honda models in the Top 10.
• Honda Civic meeting Low Emission Vehicle (LEV) standard goes on sales in California.
• Honda reaches the 30 million mark for cumulative global auto production.
• Honda produces its five-millionth car in North America.
• American Honda Motor Co., Inc. sells its 10 millionth Honda Division car.
• Honda introduces Multi Matic continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT).
• Honda Motor Co., Ltd. produces the 10 millionth Honda Civic.
• Honda becomes the first manufacturer to develop a production-based gasoline engine certified as meeting Ultra Low Emission Vehicle (ULEV) exhaust levels.
1994
• American Honda exports its 100,000th U.S.-made vehicle for the year, making the Honda Accord the No. 1 export model from North America in 1994.
• Honda introduces the 1995 Odyssey, its first minivan.
• Acura sells its one-millionth vehicle in the U.S.
• Honda Motor Co., Ltd. establishes 4-region global organization structure that gives greater autonomy and decision-making responsibility for four major regional operations: Americas, Europe/Middle East/Africa, Asia/Oceania and Japan. Relatedly, Honda announces new "Automobile Strategy for the Americas."
• Honda competes in the IndyCar World Series (later CART) for the first time.
• Honda Power Equipment Mfg., Inc. produces its one-millionth lawn mower.
• American Honda Motor Co., Inc. surpasses 10 million Honda/Acura automobile sales in the U.S.
1993
• Honda's solar car Dream wins the World Solar Challenge 1993 in Australia.
• Honda R&D North America Inc. (HRA) unveils a $25 million expansion of its research and development facilities in Ohio.
• Honda R&D North America, Inc. opens new research and development center for power equipment products in Swepsonville, N.C.
• Honda of Canada Mfg., Inc. in Alliston, Ontario, produces the 500,000th automobile in its history, a Civic Hatchback.
• Honda signs a basic agreement with Isuzu regarding joint-product utilization.
• Honda of America Mfg., Inc. produces its two-millionth engine at Anna Engine Plant in Ohio.
• Honda of America Mfg., Inc. produces its three-millionth car.
• American Honda Motor Co., Inc. announces its plan for
• participation in IndyCar World Series.
1992
• American Honda exports its 100,000th U.S.-made automobile.
• American Honda Education Corp. breaks ground for Eagle Rock School, an innovative high school and professional development center in Colorado.
• Honda of U.K. Mfg. begins automobile production.
• Honda announces that it will withdraw from Formula One racing.
• Honda announces its first equity investment in China-based motorcycle production. Motorcycles had been produced through four technical collaboration agreements.
• Honda Motor Co., Ltd. introduces the Honda NR, the first motorcycle sold with oval pistons.
• Honda Europe Power Equipment S.A. is incorporated in Orleans, France, to centralize all power equipment manufacturing, sales and marketing functions in Europe.
• Honda produces its 20-millionth Super Cub motorcycle at its Kumamoto factory.
• Honda of America Mfg. builds its two-millionth automobile in Ohio.
• Honda Motor Co., Ltd. produces 20-millionth automobile in Japan.
1991
• The Honda Civic receives the 1991-92 Japan Car of the Year Award.
• Honda introduces the new VTEC-E engine which combines Honda's Variable Valve Timing System (VTEC) with lean-burn technology.
• Honda Canada, Inc. sells its one-millionth car, a Canadian-made Civic 3-door.
• Soichiro Honda, who founded Honda Motor Co., Ltd. in 1948, dies at the age of 84.
• Honda of America Mfg. Motorcycle Plant in Marysville, Ohio, produces the 500,000th vehicle in its history - a Gold Wing Aspencade motorcycle.
• Honda of America Mfg. produces its one-millionth engine.
• Honda Motor Co. begins selling Chrysler Jeep models in Japan. (The sales continued through 1998.)
1990
• Soichiro Honda is awarded a FIA Gold Medal in Paris, France.
• American Honda becomes first automaker with plans to offer standard driver and passenger airbags in all (Honda and Acura) models by the 1994 model year.
• Acura begins sales of NSX sports car, the world's first mass-produced aluminum-body automobile.
• American Honda moves Power Equipment Division from California to Atlanta, Georgia, area.
• Honda R&D America opens new California Proving Center in Mojave Desert.
• Nobuhiko Kawamoto becomes fourth president and CEO of Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
• Honda of America Mfg. begins production of its first right-hand drive vehicles - Accord Coupes - for export to Japan.
1989
• Honda Accord becomes the top-selling auto in the U.S. for the first time (through 1991 for three consecutive years).
• Honda of America Mfg. begins production at second U.S. auto plant in East Liberty, Ohio.
• Soichiro Honda inducted into the Automotive Hall of Fame in U.S.
• Honda of U.K. Mfg. begins producing engines in its Swindon, U.K., plant.
• Honda Motor Europe Ltd. is established in U.K. to serve as Honda's European headquarters.
• Honda of America Mfg. produces its one-millionth car, a Civic 4-door sedan.
1988
• Honda-powered Formula 1 cars win the Constructor's Championship, winning 15 of the 16 races.
• Honda Engineering North America Inc. incorporated.
• Honda announces development of high performance VTEC auto engine with variable valve timing.
• Honda reaches the 15 million mark in total car production in Japan.
• Honda products rank 1-2-3 in the 1988 Motor Trend Import Car of the Year.
• Honda begins first export of U.S.-built Accord Coupe automobiles to Japan.
1987
• Honda reaches 50 million mark in total motorcycle production in Japan - the first manufacturer in the world to do so.
• Honda announces a five-part strategy to become an autonomous motor vehicle company in the U.S., including expansion of R&D and production engineering; a second U.S. auto plant; increased local parts sourcing; expansion of the engine plant; and increase of auto exports from the U.S.
• Air bags introduced in the Acura Legend - for the first time in a Honda product.
• American Honda exports first Accord Sedan to Taiwan.
• Honda de Mexico begins producing motorcycles and auto parts.
1986
• Honda produces first auto engine at Anna, Ohio, engine plant (1.5-liter Civic).
• Honda-powered Formula 1 cars win the Constructor's Championship for the first time (through 1991 for six consecutive years).
• J.D. Power Customer Satisfaction Index rates Acura number one for the first time (through 1989 for four consecutive years).
• Honda of America Mfg. begins production on second assembly line at Marysville Auto Plant.
• Honda of Canada Mfg. begins production in Alliston, Ontario (with Accord).
• Acura sales network launched in the U.S. with sales of Legend and Integra.
1985
• Honda de Mexico established.
• Honda of America Mfg. begins production of motorcycle engines in Ohio.
• The Honda Accord/Vigor series receive the 1985-86 Japan Car of the Year Award.
1984
• Honda Power Equipment Mfg., Inc., in Swepsonville, N.C., starts production of lawn mowers.
• American Honda Motor Co. establishes American Honda Foundation for philanthropic contributions.
• Honda Research of America Inc. (now Honda R&D Americas) established in Torrance, California.
1983
• Tadashi Kume becomes third president of Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
• Honda re-enters Formula 1 Grand Prix racing.
• Honda Motor Co., Inc. and the Rover Group sign agreement for joint design and development of a luxury passenger car.
• The Honda Civic/Ballade series receives the 1983-84 Japan Car of the Year Award.
1982
• Honda of America Mfg. begins auto production in Ohio with the Accord.
• Car and Driver magazine names the Honda Accord to its list of the Ten Best Cars for the first time.
1980
• Honda announces plans to construct a U.S. auto plant in Ohio.
1979
• Honda of America Mfg. starts motorcycle production in Marysville, Ohio.
• Honda introduces the Accord sedan.
1978
• Honda of America Mfg., Inc. is established in Ohio.
• Honda auto production exceeds 5 million units.
1977
• Civic CVCC ranks first in the first-ever fuel economy ranking by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
1975
• Honda R&D Co., Ltd. establishes a liaison office in Torrance, California (later becomes Honda R&D Americas).
1974
• The Civic CVCC (Compound Vortex Controlled Combustion) engine is the first engine to comply with the 1975 Clean Air Act without a catalytic converter.
• Gold Wing GL1000 is introduced in the U.S.
• Honda is the first Japanese automaker to issue consolidated financial statements.
1973
• Founder and President Soichiro Honda retires along with co-founder and Executive Vice President Takeo Fujisawa. Kiyoshi Kawashima becomes second president of Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
1971
• Honda announces CVCC (Compound Vortex Controlled Combustion) engine technology.
1970
• Honda exports N600 automobile to U.S.
• Honda Engineering Co., Ltd. established in Japan - production engineering company.
1969
• Canadian Honda Motor Ltd. (now Honda Canada, Inc.) established in Toronto, Canada.
• Honda begins automobile production in Taiwan and Malaysia through technical collaboration.
1968
• Honda sells one-millionth motorcycle in the U.S.
• Honda withdraws from F-1 racing to concentrate on production of commercial cars and development of low-emission technologies.
1967
• Production of automobiles starts at Suzuka factory.
• Honda begins motorcycle production in Thailand.
1966
• Honda F-2 car establishes a record of 11 consecutive victories.
1965
• Honda F-1 car wins first Grand Prix race in Mexican Grand Prix.
1964
• Honda begins participating in Formula 1 Grand Prix racing.
1963
• American Honda's "You Meet the Nicest People on a Honda" advertising campaign helps revolutionize the American motorcycle industry.
• Honda's first overseas plant Honda Benelux in Belgium starts production of "mopeds."
• Honda issues EDR (European Depository Receipts) in Europe.
• Honda markets first automobile S500 and lightweight truck T360 in Japan.
1962
• Honda issues ADRs (American Depository Receipts) in the U.S.
• Motorcycle production begins in Taiwan through technical collaboration.
1961
• Honda racing team wins Britain's Isle of Man TT Race in 125cc and 250cc classes.
1960
• Research and Development division is re-established as a separate company - Honda R&D Co., Ltd.
1959
• Honda establishes American Honda Motor Co., Inc. The Super Cub, the Dream and the Benly motorcycles are the first products.
1958
• Honda launches Super Cub motorcycle in Japan, helping make Honda the sales leader.
1955
• Honda leads Japan in motorcycle production volume.
1954
• Honda declares intention to race in Isle of Man Tourist Trophy race in the U.K. (eventually participating for the first time in 1959).
1952
• Honda's first general purpose engine (Type H) is produced.
1949
• Honda introduces first original motorcycle - 2-stroke Dream D-type.
1948
• Soichiro Honda incorporates Honda Technical Research Institute and renames it Honda Motor Co., Ltd., capitalized at one million yen.
1946
• Soichiro Honda establishes Honda Technical Research Institute in Hamamatsu, Shizuoka Prefecture, where he develops and produces internal combustion engines and machine tools.
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