 | It has taken 53 years and the building of manufacturing facilities across five continents, but Honda has officially built its 100 millionth car. Unlike other Japanese car companies, Honda didn't start life as an existing huge conglomerate. Honda's global success grew out of one man's fascination with engines. Soichiro Honda started what is now recognized as Honda after the Second World War as an engineering research facility focused on improvising motorized bicycles. By 1949 it was building its own motorbikes, and by 1964 was the world's biggest motorcycle manufacturer. |
 | It moved from two wheels to four in 1963 with the T360 compact pickup truck and the S500 sports car, both of which were powered by Honda motorcycle engines. Within a year it had built its first dedicated car production plant and launched the now iconic and highly collectable S600 roadster. |  |
 | While company founder Soichiro Honda stepped down in 1973, Honda has continued to innovate. In 1986 it became the first Japanese carmaker to establish a standalone luxury brand, Acura, which helped it break into the premium US car market. And four years later followed it up with the NSX, the first Japanese supercar. |