Honda Chronology (1999-1990)

— Torrance, Calif.

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 since beginning U.S. operations in 1982.
  • 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 Engineering Europe, Ltd. is established in the U.K. to coordinate Honda engineering activities in Europe.
  • Honda of America Mfg. begins production of its first right-hand drive vehicles - Accord Coupes - for export to Japan.
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