Who Makes Honda

Honda cars are made by Honda Motor Co, Ltd, a publicly traded Japanese company headquartered in Tokyo, with no single controlling shareholder.

Honda is the parent company of Acura, its North American luxury division, and also builds motorcycles, power equipment, and the HondaJet through separate divisions.

Unlike some Japanese rivals, Honda has never entered a cross shareholding alliance with another automaker, choosing to remain fully independent throughout its history.

This guide covers who owns Honda, its founding history, where Honda vehicles are built, its current lineup, and the collapsed merger talks with Nissan.

Who Owns Honda?

Honda Motor Co is a publicly traded company listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange and the New York Stock Exchange. No single entity holds a majority stake.

Shares are held broadly by institutional investors, pension funds, and individual shareholders in Japan and overseas, with no automaker or family holding company in control.

Founder Soichiro Honda intentionally limited family control over the company, a decision that shaped Honda unusually independent corporate culture compared to rivals like Toyota.

When Was Honda Founded and Who Started It?

Honda began in October 1946 as the Honda Technical Research Institute, a small workshop founded by Soichiro Honda to build motorized bicycles.

The company incorporated formally as Honda Motor Co in September 1948, and quickly grew into one of the largest motorcycle manufacturers in the world.

Honda entered the automobile business later, launching its first mass production car, the T360 mini truck, in 1963.

Honda Corporate Milestones

How Does Honda Compare to Toyota and Mazda?

Toyota, Honda, and Mazda are all independent Japanese public companies, though Toyota holds a minority investment stake in Mazda that Honda does not have with any rival.

Honda closest domestic size comparison is Mazda, which we cover separately in our guide on who makes Mazda.

Honda has chosen partnerships over ownership stakes in recent years, working with General Motors on batteries and electric platforms rather than taking an equity position.

This approach lets Honda access shared technology costs without the governance complexity that comes with a formal alliance like Renault, Nissan, and Mitsubishi.

Honda by the Numbers

Honda remains one of the largest engine manufacturers in the world across cars, motorcycles, and power equipment combined.

The scale of Honda reported loss for fiscal year 2026 stands out precisely because the company has historically been one of the more consistently profitable automakers in the world.

Where Are Honda Cars Made?

Honda builds a large share of the vehicles it sells in the United States domestically, including plants in Marysville and East Liberty, Ohio, and Lincoln, Alabama. Its luxury division has a dedicated guide at who makes Acura.

Honda also operates an assembly plant in Greensburg, Indiana, and a major engine and transmission plant network supporting its North American production.

In Japan, Honda builds vehicles primarily at its Suzuka and Yorii plants, while additional factories in Canada, Mexico, China, and India serve local and export markets.

What Models Does Honda Currently Make?

Honda sedans include the Civic and Accord, two of the longest running and best selling nameplates in the compact and midsize segments.

SUVs make up a growing share of Honda United States lineup, led by the CR-V, HR-V, and the three row Pilot.

The Ridgeline serves pickup truck buyers with a car based design, while the Odyssey remains a top selling minivan choice for families.

Honda has also introduced the Prologue electric SUV, developed in partnership with General Motors using shared electric vehicle architecture.

Why Did the Honda and Nissan Merger Talks Collapse?

Honda and Nissan signed a memorandum of understanding in December 2024 to explore combining into a single holding company.

The deal fell apart in February 2025 after reports indicated Honda wanted Nissan to become a subsidiary rather than an equal partner, a structure Nissan leadership resisted.

Honda has continued operating independently since the collapse, while Nissan pursued its own separate restructuring plan.

Is Honda Really Good or Worth Buying?

Honda financial loss for fiscal year 2026, driven by electric vehicle investment costs and tariff pressure, has raised questions about near term profitability even as the vehicles themselves remain highly rated.

For buyers focused on long term reliability and low running costs, Honda remains one of the most consistently well reviewed mainstream brands.

What Is Next for Honda?

Honda plans to keep investing in hybrid technology as a bridge to full electrification, following a strategy similar to Toyota rather than an EV only approach.

The Prologue partnership with General Motors gives Honda faster access to electric vehicle technology while its own dedicated electric platforms continue development.

Honda leadership has said cost discipline will be a top priority following the unprecedented annual loss reported in 2026.

Frequently Asked Questions About Who Makes Honda

Is Acura owned by Honda?

Yes. Acura is the North American luxury division of Honda Motor Co, sharing some engineering with Honda models while operating separate dealerships and branding.

Is Honda merging with Nissan?

No. Honda and Nissan explored a merger in late 2024 but ended those talks in February 2025. Both companies now operate independently.

Where is the Honda Civic made?

The Honda Civic sold in the United States is built primarily at plants in Indiana and Ontario, Canada, depending on the model year and trim.

Is Honda a reliable car brand?

Yes. Honda consistently ranks among the more reliable mainstream brands in Consumer Reports and J.D. Power surveys, despite recent financial challenges.

For current pricing and specifications, visit the official Honda website.

Background on company history is available on the Honda Wikipedia page, and coverage of the collapsed merger is available in this Japan Times report.

Honda long standing independence has generally been viewed as a strength by investors, since it avoids the governance conflicts that can arise when two automakers with different corporate cultures try to share decision making power.

That said, the scale advantages larger groups like Stellantis or the Renault Nissan Mitsubishi Alliance can offer in purchasing and shared platforms are advantages Honda has to build on its own, largely through internal engineering rather than partnership.

Investors watching the company closely in 2026 have focused on whether Honda cost cutting and hybrid focused strategy can restore profitability before rivals close the gap in electric vehicle technology.

Buyers cross shopping a Honda against a Toyota or Mazda are unlikely to notice the corporate financial situation in daily driving, since reliability engineering and quality control have not changed alongside the reported loss.

Long term, Honda ability to translate its engine and hybrid expertise into a competitive electric lineup will likely determine whether it keeps pace with faster moving rivals over the next several years.