The Story Behind the Honda Logo
It seems that Japanese companies are getting well-known for contributing actively and strongly in the car manufacturing industry. This fact proves true because three out of the top 10 ranks of the automotive cars in 2019 are all Japanese companies. One of the automotive companies that give Japan pride, Honda ranks the fourth one actually. It was able to end the year 2019 with a brand value of $24.4 million encompassing a 3% growth in the market. That seems very promising. Since 2000, Honda persevered and climbed up the ladder by constantly improving its authenticity and earning the trust of the public. The company is now ranked as the 21st on the total ranking in the global market. This data proves no doubt that Honda is on its way to climb even higher to reach its target and releasing more innovative ideas and brand new technology for automobiles worldwide.
The man behind Honda
Soichiro Honda is a Japanese engineer, inventor, car racer, and a true car enthusiast. He founded the Honda Company in 1946 and is currently on its more than 70 years of operation until now. The long and sustainable history of this automotive company is primarily because of Soichiro Honda’s unfailing determination, boldness, and unique way of thinking and behavior. Breaking the chain of conventionalism, he was able to oversee the opportunity to expand his wooden shack manufacturing bicycle motors into a car and motorcycles manufacturer.
Another interesting fact about Soichiro Honda is that not everyone knows that he actually is the first one who invented the piston rings. His knowledge in engineering and technology made it possible for him to invent a significant and vital part of the car which is the piston ring. Not only is he a company founder but a brilliant inventor. As noble as he was, he contributed so much more to the car industry than what people give him credit for.
History of Honda
Honda’s beginning journey was a humble one. In 1937, Honda founded Tokai Seiki, a company that manufactures and supplies piston rings for Toyota. However, during World War II, his plant in Yamashita was attacked by bombers in 1944, and at a series of misfortunate events, the other plant in Mikawa also collapsed due to earthquakes. He decided to salvage what was left of his company and decided to sell everything to Toyota. The money that he garnered was then used to do research. And in 1948, Honda started producing a motorized bicycle which was called Type A. From then on, this started a path for the company to continue its success and started the Honda Motor Company development. In 1963, it finally acquired the title as the largest motorcycle producer in the world.
As they saw different opportunities to enter the vehicle category for business, they soon started to join the automotive industry. They now have 454 subsidiaries and branches all around the world. Their products range from scooters, motorcycles, universal motors, and spare parts, to sports cars, SUVs, and even indulged in producing a luxurious brand for cars which they soon launched in 1986 as Acura. They have finally found their own market and earned the trust of their clients in a global context.
The letter “H” logo
It’s a no-brainer to guess why their logo is presented in an H alphabet. Since Honda’s beginning letter is H, it’s easy to remember and reliable, making it easy to remember the logo emblem. Honda’s motto is “Dream Power”, and this definitely is compatible with the design of the Honda emblem as well. The Honda logo leaves an aura of power and strength with its font style which is a roman style in letter “H”. It’s a bold font, in a capitalized format, making it distinctive and eye-catchy as well.
When it comes to the colors chosen for the Honda logo, their choice is an elegant silver-gray metallic tone. It definitely connotes sophistication, modernity, and style. It basically is simple and easy on the eyes. It represents durability, confidence, and it also embodies strong power. The letter emblem makes a good point to be used as one of their contact logos. It is easier to distinguish Honda’s logo because the Honda emblem is radiant looking and the emblem has a distinct elegant beauty.
The evolution of the Honda logo
Like any other company, the Honda logos have also been changed and modified. In the 1960s, the logo emblem was conceptualized. However before that, there was a blurry image imprinted logo on the hood of the car. Apparently, by the middle of the 1960s, car companies had started a trend of having smaller sized logos placed on the vehicle’s radiator grille. This was due to marketing and the development of the car industry. The sizes continuously changed, still testing the preference of most people at that time.
Over the years, Honda’s logo had constantly changed its shapes. Along with their car’s developments, the logos have adjusted accordingly. In the modern age, they have already continued using the chromium coated H symbol. They have used it for product launches, advertising, marketing campaigns, commercial production, and print advertisements. Although Honda is using a chromium font color, they actually use the red color as their background in some cases. Since the color red has a lot of positive meanings, they have used it as the brand color. Red means strength, power, energy, and determination. And these are all associated with how the Honda logo started. It continues to be strong, energetic and determined to grow as a company. Not only does it have all these meanings, but it is also a great combination with the contrast of the silver-gray font style and color.
Finally Honda came up with a decision to focus on using the letter “H” as their primary logo. There were no other decorative designs so it highlights a modern look. Now, when you see a Honda automobile, there is no denying the fact that the simplicity of the Honda logo gives it a sophisticated distinctiveness and higher edge than other cars.
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