Meet man who once worked as sweeper, repaired cycle, now owns company worth Rs 3458282654000, his business is…, his name is…
It is not necessary to have a massive bank balance or a wealthy family to start a business. And Soichiro Honda is living proof of that. With nothing but a dream and determination, he built a billion-dollar global empire that continues to thrive even today. Soichiro Honda came from humble beginnings, with no wealth or influential connections. With these alone, he went on to build a USD 4.43 billion empire. At present, Honda’s cars are driven and admired across the globe, including in India — a true testament to where vision and determination can take you.
Meet man who once worked as sweeper, repaired cycle, now owns company worth Rs 3458282654000, his business is…, his name is…
Born in Hamamatsu, in the Shizuoka prefecture of Japan, in 1906, Soichiro Honda’s father owned a blacksmith’s shop and repaired bicycles as a side-line. In April 1922, Soichiro Honda left elementary school at the age of fifteen and joined Art Shokai as an apprentice in Tokyo.
“One day in September 1946, Soichiro Honda came across a generator engine designed for a wireless radio from the former Imperial Army. When Mr. Honda saw it, he was immediately inspired with an idea. It was a moment of destiny. Moving forward with grit and relentless determination, Soichiro Honda established Honda Motor Co. Ltd, on September 24, 1948, in Itaya-cho, Hamamatsu,” reads the official website of Honda Car India.
According to media reports, Soichiro Honda left home at the young age of 16 after spotting a job advertisement for a mechanic in a newspaper. Although he was deemed too young for the mechanic position, his determination paid off — he managed to secure a job at the garage, starting with tasks like sweeping and mopping the floors.
According to media reports, Soichiro Honda left home at the young age of 16 after spotting a job advertisement for a mechanic in a newspaper. Although he was deemed too young for the mechanic position, his determination paid off — he managed to secure a job at the garage, starting with tasks like sweeping and mopping the floors.
After working as a cleaner at the garage, Soichiro Honda eagerly learned the skills of a mechanic. When a major earthquake hit Japan, most of the mechanics at the garage left for their hometowns. This sudden shortage gave Soichiro the golden opportunity to take charge and start repairing cars on his own.
After his piston ring factory in Hamamatsu was destroyed during a World War II air raid, Soichiro Honda didn’t give up. In 1946, he went on to establish the Honda Technical Research Institute, laying the foundation for what would become one of the world’s leading automobile companies.
Soon after, Soichiro Honda wowed people by creating a bicycle powered by a generator engine. The unique invention gained rapid popularity, leading to a surge in demand. In 1949, he rebranded his company as Honda Motors. As the business grew, it shifted focus from bicycles to motorcycles. He then launched the Super Cub — a lightweight, fuel-efficient bike that instantly became a game-changer in the market, capturing the hearts of customers across the globe.
As Honda’s business continued to flourish, the company expanded its reach far beyond Japan, eventually making a mark across the globe. By 1964, every second motorcycle on American roads proudly bore the Honda name.
In 1963, Soichiro Honda ventured into the automobile industry by launching the T360 mini truck — his first car. This was followed by the introduction of the Honda Civic, a vehicle that won hearts both in Japan and the United States. By the 1980s, Honda Motors had grown into the third-largest car manufacturing company in the world, solidifying its legacy in the global automotive market.
Soichiro Honda passed away in 1991. A visionary entrepreneur, he believed in merit over inheritance and chose to entrust his company to a skilled professional instead of handing it over to his children. Today, Honda stands tall as one of the world’s leading automobile giants, with a remarkable valuation of USD 40.43 billion.
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