Honda set out to be a top motorcycle manufacturer and became the world's largest in 1959, having started in 1949. Having consolidated that position, it turned to passenger cars in 1963.
I believed that Honda also wanted to become the world's largest car manufacturer too. The company admitted some years back that would never be the case.
I tried to find confirmation of that but can't, so either my memory is letting me down or AI isn't all it's cracked up to be. If anyone can confirm either way, please leave a comment.
Anyway, in 2020 4.4 million vehicles were made, 37% of which were made in China. With the exception of 2023, it's been a case of reducing volume since.
From 2020 to 2025, production numbers have fallen by 1 million units, nearly all of that in China (-963,000). China's contribution to the total has nearly halved in that time to just 20% and that trend will presumably continue.
Honda forecast for a ¥550b profit for the year to March 2026 but now anticipates losing up to ¥570 billion. It will be Honda's first annual loss since it listing on the stock market in 1957.
In early 2025, talks exploring a merger / takeover between Honda and Nissan were abandoned. Honda wanted Nissan to be a subsidiary rather than a partner. I wonder if a partnership between them would be mutually beneficial? It now seems highly unlikely in any event.
Data & photo source: Honda (Accord & Vezel/HR-V).
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