We all hear about how reliable and competitive Hondas are, but experiencing it first-hand puts it into a different perspective. I wanted to know what made Honda so special. Needless to say, the answer was obvious.
A manufacturer like Honda hasn't succeeded by accident this whole time. They have a time-tested formula for victory that can be easily updated in tandem with technological advancements. Although basic production-line automation is still a part of the process (as it is with nearly all modern day carmakers), there's a lot more to it than meets the eye.
You can not discount the value of hard workers, especially the skilled engineers of the lot. These individuals have slaved away over decades to put Honda where it is now; in consumer sales and in motor sports. The cause of their reliability and success, however, can't simply be summed up by the employees alone, rather, a combination of factors.
Here are the real reasons why Honda makes the most reliable cars on the market...
Attention To Detail
Though Honda isn't building their cars by hand, they're not just pumping them out without any concern for quality, either. A common misconception is that humans don't even touch the car during the manufacturing process. That may be true for a majority of production, yet, brands such as Honda don't let that ruin the car.
Human engineers and specialists work day and night to improve upon things a machine couldn't: like attention to detail with a personal attachment towards the project's success. Clearly, Honda knows the value of human input on production, as evidenced by their strict rules for production and a affinity towards precision, focus, and attention to detail.
The Japanese culture is all about order, harmony, and self-development. With that in mind, it's easy to understand why their businesses reflect those exact values. In turn, these philosophies have extracted hard-work, enthusiasm, and dependability from both the employees and the vehicles they build!
Years Of Success
Since the 1930s, Honda has been on the scene fighting the 'good fight.' Similar to Ferrari, Porsche, and other famous carmakers, Honda too started in motor sports, later evolving into production cars, as well. Ever since, they've been a cornerstone of globe's automotive sales.
Even if you dispute the quality of Honda's daily vehicles/affordable sports cars, it's very hard to say the same thing about them in motor sports. Just a couple years ago, saying something like "Honda makes great engines" around racing fans (particularly those of the Formula 1 persuasion) would be met with heavy laughter.
Today, though, Honda has improved drastically; finally showing signs of a return-to-form for the team. Teams like Spoon still thrive in the sports car category, while Honda's F1 division powers Red Bull Racing's RB16 and AlphaTauri's (previously Toro Rosso) AT01.
Great Engines Win Hearts (& Races)
Like many large automotive manufacturers, Honda has built some outstanding vehicles; sports cars and fuel-savers alike. However, what separates Honda from other carmakers isn't its reliability alone, but the engines which facilitate that legendary renown. As we stated recently, Honda is responsible for the power units in a couple Formula 1 cars, although, this isn't a new trend.
During 1965, Honda made history with their RA272 F1 car that won the Mexican G.P. Afterwards, the well-known McLaren-Honda team-up quickly swept away the field. With McLaren's aerodynamics, Ayrton Senna behind the wheel, and a glorious Honda V12, nothing could stop their manifest destiny.
Since then, Honda has claimed many more awards for their power-units. Notably, those including the Honda S2000, Honda/Integra Type R, the first generation NSX, and (now) the 2020 Honda Civic Type R. Yes, these engines were powerful, but that's not the only characteristic. In reality, it's the rock-hard durability and affordability that's put them into the history books.