HONDA’S BACKGROUND
Honda Company was founded in 1948 by Soichiro Honda. It started by making motorbikes. Japan had been rendered cash poor and petrol-starved after World War II, and its citizens were hurting for fuel-efficient mode of transportation. Honda 's first motorcycles mated engines with bicycles that were cheap in making and operation process. In 1950, Honda Company launched the successful Juno scooter, built to steal market share from the Vespa knockoffs that were popular in Japan at that time. In the latter part of that decade, Honda introduced the ultra-successful C100 Super Cub. It was remarkably easy to operate and featured a crossbar-free frame that made it popular with women; then it went on to become the first Honda motorbike sold in the U.S. in 1959. By the early 1960s, the Honda had built its first automobiles for the Japanese home market and entered Formula One racing, but it had a hard time sparking interest in American buyers. However, all changed in 1973 with the introduction of the Civic. The Civic 's fuel efficiency (an important selling point given that decade 's energy crisis) and affordability made it Honda 's first American success story. By 1976, the Civic had been joined by the Accord, which quickly became a favorite with U.S. consumers as well.
By the 1980s, Honda 's success and its reputation as a maker of reliable cars and motorcycles continued to grow. It began building Accords in the U.S. in 1982 and by 1989 had earned the distinction of making America 's most popular car. This was also the decade in which Honda created the Acura brand as a way to sell more upscale and luxurious vehicles. Throughout this decade and into the 1990s, Honda continued to innovate through such technologies as VTEC variable valve timing, aluminum body construction, improved safety features and new gasoline/electric hybrid power trains. Today, Honda 's lineup runs the gamut, no matter in fuel-shipping hybrids, spacious minivans,