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Between West Rd and W. Mt Houston Rd]
Honda OREE - Concept Electric
Honda Motor Company decided to get involved with the American motorcycle market in 1959. After attaining approval in April of 1959, Honda took out $250,000 in foreign currency to establish the Honda American division. On June 11th of that same year, Honda purchased a former photo studio in Los Angeles for $100,000.
Americans viewed motorcycles very negatively in 1959. They believed that only racers and outlaws would enjoy and utilize this method of transportation.
In September 1959, Honda began production on the American Dream, Benly, and Super Cub. Honda only sold 170 motorcycles in the remaining months of that first year, which forced them to take drastic measures to change the American perception of motorcycles.
In 1961, Honda began a major advertising campaign using the slogan: “Nifty, Thrifty, Honda Fifty.” The campaign placed the Honda 50 in the spotlight as a motorcycle that appeals to both men and women by its design. Honda had great success with this motorcycle that sold for a reasonable $250.00.
By December 1962, the American Honda plant sold more than 40,000 motorcycles annually. Honda realized that in order for sales to keep increasing, they would have to keep changing the public perception of motorcycles. The advertising campaign: “You meet the nicest people on a Honda,” blanketed the country and changed the American perception of motorcycles forever.
ELECTRIC
Honda has been quick to signal some radical changes in direction to enable it to endure the tough times expected in 2010. Following news that it is cancelling all F1 racing involvement and development and likewise with the successor to the NSX sports car. The company has announced it intends to pursue ever cleaner automotive technologies and the most exciting of its announcements is that it will have an electric motorcycle on the market before the end of 2011. Honda’s original core product was the motorcycle and history shows that motorcycle sales remain strong in difficult times – the Honda announcement of an electric motorcycle is likely to spur rivals Yamaha and Suzuki into action, with both having shown fantastic electric bikes already, and both afraid to give Honda a head start in what will surely be a massive market.
With more people likely to show interest in the motorcycle in a harsh economic climate, Honda plans for a game-changing electric motorcycle are the signal that the era of the electric motorcycle is about to begin – Honda’s brief statement pointed out that the characteristics of electric power can be better utilized in the area of motorcycles, which are often used for short distance travel.
Honda's toughness in negative business environments comes from its almost recession-proof motorcycle business. The motorcycle business has since given way to a global business foundation around three axes - motorcycles, automobiles and power products – but Honda knows it can rely on its original core product and the cost-efficiency of a plug-in electric bike could attract a huge new customer segment, particularly in the emerging economic regions of Asia and South America. Motorcycles are replacing bicycles for everyday transportation in these markets and long-term and steady market growth is expected for the motorcycle business despite the economic conditions.
Honda's Future.... & some Past
Honda revealed a new V4 based bike concept at the Intermot show in Cologne, Germany. It’s still very deep in the concept realm though, since it’s basically just a sculpture of a bike, with no working parts, but there are plenty of ideas there, and Honda says all the ideas are workable.
Rumor has it that they’re also looking into oval pistons again, which would allow for more more power in a smaller area via larger combustion chambers. If Honda does make a V4 powered bike with big oval pistons and hubless wheels, it’ll be big news! 2012?
American Honda - 1959 / See Below
Looking at the PAST
to See the FUTURE!
Other Concepts...
'Just Fun to Look At' !
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