For three quarters of a century, premium Japanese car brand Honda has been at the forefront of mobility. From two to four wheels, and even taking to the skies, their spirit of innovation, keenness to improve and desire to race has been at their core – to celebrate this epic milestone, Honda NZ are now offering 4.8% finance to ‘help dreams come true’.
According to Honda, “since 1948 we’ve been powering dreams, setting records and have had the privilege of bringing the joy of driving to millions around the world. Putting our customers at the heart of everything we do, has made the last 75 years a dream come true.”
While on the matter of dreams. In 1948, keen to develop small, efficient internal-combustion engines for bicycles, Engineering (and Idealist) Soichiro Honda initially founded the Honda Technical Research Institute near Hamamatsu, Japan. The institute subsequently became the Honda Motor Company and its then 34 employees began producing motorcycles.
Around a decade later, Honda’s racing heritage began when they entered the Isle of Man TT. They didn’t win but the experience added fuel to Soichiro Honda’s “If Honda does not race Race there is no Honda” mantra and in 1961, they returned to dominate both 125cc and 250cc classes, with the top 5 riders racing Hondas.
Two wheels then became four when in 1962 Honda launched its first cars the S360 Sports Car & T360 Truck, these were followed a year later by the S500 Sports Car, and the S600 in 1964 – with the latter winning the 500 km of Nürburgring race in 1964, and becoming the marque’s first ever class win in Europe.
Dreams of F1 success followed, and in 1964 Honda entered Formula One Grand Prix racing. They didn’t win that year, however, returned in 1965 and won their first F1 race in Mexico. After again winning races in 1984 and 1985, Honda won the Constructors’ Championship every year between 1986 and 1991 with Williams and McLaren, and the Drivers’ Championship every year from 1987 to 1991 with Nelson Piquet, Ayrton Senna and Alain Prost.
Honda’s F1 engineering was then moved to the road, with the development of Honda’s DOHC/VTEC engine. This groundbreaking technology was initially introduced to the market in April 1989 in the Honda Integra, and then subsequently added as the heart of their new mid-engine ‘supercar’ the 1990 NSX – a car that launched the brand’s ultra-desirable and sporty Type R range, NSX, Integra, Accord and of course, the Civic.
Nowadays, 75 years after Soichiro Honda first began, the Honda corporation boasts around 200,000 employees globally, across almost 400 domestic and overseas affiliated companies. They still manufacture engines and a wide range of automobiles, but have also continued to innovate with the likes of the HondaJet and all with a keen eye on the environment.
They say, ‘since its foundation, Honda has been committed to “creating a society that is useful to people” by utilising its technologies and ideas. We also focus on environmental responsiveness and traffic safety, and continue to take on the challenge of realising a sustainable future.’
To help celebrate the 75th anniversary Honda New Zealand are offering 4.8% Finance across their entire Honda range. So whether you want the Jazzy new Jazz or a more civilised Civic, a family-friendly CR-V or zesty ZR-V, Honda will help get you behind the wheel.
What’s more, to top things off, all new Honda models come with up to 5 years (3+2) Warranty and 24 hour Roadside Assistance. PLUS, there’s Honda’s unique price promise, no matter which Honda Store you’re in, (including online), they promise you’ll find just one price. How’s that for fairness!
“We’ve brought the joy of driving to people’s lives since 1948. And with our 75th Anniversary offer of just 4.8%, we plan on making a whole lot more dreams come true.”
