Honda’s 67-year history can be seen at its museum

[Kim, Song-Yi] Japanese automobile brand, Honda, was established in 1948 September. It has 67-year history so far. Typically, it has been called as ‘Honda of techonolohy’, for it has devoted itself to not only sales in the global market but research and development.

After Dream Type D, the first Honda model released in 1949, Honda released its first sports car model, ‘S500’, and the light truck model, ‘T360’.

Honda started to get attention after Civic called as the ‘wo’’rld car’(1972), Accord(1976), Legend (1986), and SUV CR-V (1995). In 1999, the sports car models S2000 and Insight were released, and Honda showed its techonology in earnest with introducing FCX-V1 and FCX-V.

In 2000, ASIMO, the innovative mobility assistance, was introduced. In 2003, through its aeronautical technology, Honda successfully finished its test flight of ‘Honda Jet’.

Honda Jet is a light business jet, whose length and width are about 12.99m and 12.12m re

spectively. The maximum speed is 778km/h, and the maximum flight altitude is 13.1km. 8 passengers including the pilot can board. The flight distance is about 2185km, accoring to Honda.

Especially, Honda Jet disposed its two engines on the wings to both sides, for reducing drag in order to enhance its performance and fuel efficiency.

As seen above, Honda is an unique brand which introduces various products. these various products can be seen at the Honda Tochigi R&D center which is located in Haga, Japan. It

takes about 2 hours from Tokyo by car. There are Tochigi Proving Ground and Honda Collection Hall in the R&D center.

On October 27th, about 100 elementary students and families visited Honda Collection Hall.

It was established in 1998, for celebrating 50 anniversary of Honda foundation. Visitors can see Honda’s history here.

Honda’s first models including the motorcycle made by Honda soichiro, the founder of Honda, are restored and exhibited. Also, it is easy to see Honda’s technology history. All vehicles exhibited are movements preservation, so they can be started instantly if fuel is put. About 350 prodcuts are exhibited.

The hall insists of three floors. the theme of exhibition is different by floor. there are souvenir shop, cafe, Asimo hall, and information desk on the first floor. It holds ASIMO performance as well. ASIMO shows its running or kicking a ball performance to visitors.

On the second floor, motorcycle and vehicle products are exhibited. On the third floor, under the theme ‘the world best products’, racing motorcycles and cars are exhibited. it is seen that Honda’s endless efforts for einternational race challenge and technology development.

Especially, on the second exhibition, Honda’s generation models which were loved by many customers are exhibited. There are also Honda’s first bicycle engine and the newest engine. Mobility technology, Honda’s philosophy can be found.