Power by Honda

A new strategy-headlined by the Civic's hybrid twin-plug IC engine/electric powertrain-propels the company's “global dreams.”

Sochiro Honda named his first serious motorcycle model the “Dream.” The late founder's passion was a powerful and economical power source, the engine that made many corporate dreams come true. Honda Motor Co. recently adopted the corporate slogan “The Power of Dreams,” President Hiroyuki Yoshino declaring, “We are Honda Motor Company, and by ‘Motor’ we mean motive sources, including internal-combustion engines and electric motors.” Honda's near-term goal is to attain 15-million-per-year unit sales, not in terms of vehicles, but in the number of products powered by various power sources, be it on two, four, or no wheels (several on two feet-the Asimo humanoid robot will be offered for rental in 2002). The goal is within the corporation's reach; in 2002, the company plans to produce 14.5 million units, comprising automobile, motorcycle, personal watercraft, and power equipment products.

True to the corporate slogan, new powertrains are accelerating various products. Most significant in the automotive applications are the latest “i-series” inline four-cylinder engines that power several new Honda vehicles. The small letter “i” stands for intelligent, a favorite “in” identification of the Japanese OEMs; however, in Honda's case, it is true to its meaning.