Biography of Sui Chiro Honda, the founder of Honda Machine Company
Sui Chiro HondaSummary of the biography of Sui Chiro Honda
Full name: Honda Sui Chiro
Date of birth: November 17, 1906
Place of birth: Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan
Nationality: Japanese
Profession: craftsman and entrepreneur
Known for: Founder of Honda Motor Company
Died: August 5, 1991
Biography of Sui Chiro HondaBiography of Sui Chiro Honda
Sui Chiro Honda was born on November 17, 1906 in Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan. He was the founder of Honda and one of the most successful entrepreneurs in the history of Japan. With great perseverance and hard work, he turned from a simple bicycle repairman into one of the largest car and motorcycle manufacturers in the world.
Photos of Sui Chiro HondaChildhood and adolescence of Sui Chiro Honda
Honda spent his childhood helping his father, Gihi Honda, who was a blacksmith, repair his bicycle. At that time, his mother, Mika Honda, was a weaver. Honda was not interested in traditional education, where when the school gave the kids grade reports, they had to deliver the reports to the families and then return them to the school with their stamp.
Soi Chiro Honda forged his family's seal with his bicycle pedal cover, then did the same for the other children. Of course, his work was exposed very quickly because he did not realize that he had to make the seal in reverse. His last name (Honda) is symmetrical when written vertically, so that's not a problem, but some of his classmates' last names weren't.
At the age of 15, without any formal education, Honda left home and went to Tokyo to look for work. He started working in a garage in 1922, after a while he hesitated to continue this path, but he still stayed in that garage for 6 years and worked as a car mechanic.
In 1936, Honda raced against a turbocharged Ford in “Japan's First Auto Race” at Tamagawa Speedway. He had an accident and his left eye was badly damaged. His brother was also injured. After that, he left the race
Sui Chiro Honda TradingThe invention of the piston ring until the establishment of Honda
In 1938, Honda attracted the attention of Toyota by inventing a new piston ring. Toyota asked Honda to produce new piston rings for them, but Honda was fired from Toyota after a while.
After being fired from Toyota, Honda decided to start his own company. He founded Honda company in 1948 with a small capital. The Honda company was initially engaged in the production of motorcycles and the first Honda motorcycle was produced in 1949.
Honda developed rapidly in the field of motorcycle production and in 1959 became the largest motorcycle manufacturer in the world. He produced his first car in 1963 and became one of the largest car manufacturers in the world.
As president of Honda Motor Co., Soichiro Honda built the company into a multi-billion dollar multinational that produced the world's best-selling motorcycles. Honda's engineering and marketing skills allowed Honda motorcycles to outsell Triumph and Harley-Davidson in their home markets.
Honda remained with the company until his retirement in 1973, and in 1983 he was appointed “senior consultant”. His status was such that People magazine included him in the list of “25 Sexiest People of the Year” for 1980.
He was the “Henry Ford of Japan” and in retirement, Honda devoted himself to work related to the Honda Foundation. In his memoirs, Soichiro Honda lamented that he was sometimes rude to his employees, humiliating them and sometimes even slapping them in the face.
The great Japanese manufacturer Sui Chiro HondaDeath of Sui Chiro Honda
Sui Chiro Honda made the most of his life even at an advanced age. Soichiro and his wife Sachi both held private pilot licenses. At 77, he also enjoyed skiing, golfing, racing cars, flying airplanes and hot air balloons, and was a highly skilled artist.
He and Takeo Fujisawa made a pact to never force their sons to join the company. His son, Hirotoshi Honda, was the founder and former CEO of Mugen Motorsports, a Honda vehicle tuner that also produced original racing vehicles.
Sui Chiro Honda died on August 5, 1991 at the age of 84 due to liver failure. With his life and activities, he left one of the greatest business legacies in the history of Japan.
Biography of Sui Chiro HondaHonors of Sui Chiro Honda
ASME created the Soichiro Honda Medal to recognize Mr. Honda's achievements in 1982. This medal recognizes outstanding achievements or significant engineering contributions in the field of personal transportation. In 1989, he was inducted into the Automobile Hall of Fame near Detroit.
Grand Prix winner Ayrton Senna dedicated the victory to the late Soichiro Honda. He was posthumously appointed to the third senior position in order of precedence.
A final word about Sui Chiro Honda
Sui Chiro Honda is a clear example of success through perseverance and hard work. Despite the many difficulties and obstacles in his way, he never gave up and eventually became one of the most successful entrepreneurs in the world. He has inspired many people around the world and his life story shows that with hard work and perseverance, anything is possible.
compilation: Cover biographical section
