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Only the daring make it to the top and clearly this is evident in the life and story of Honda Company. Sochiro Honda, who lived from November 17, 1906, to August 5, 1991, was the founder of Honda. Perhaps from destiny or mere curiosity, the young Sochiro had a natural flair for automobiles. His history is traceable to when he worked as a young automobile repairer in a tuning shop in Art Shokai Japan. He was famed to have increased the speed of cars and used them in races, one of which was piston design with the intention of selling it to Toyota. Even though the first draft was not accepted, but was not enough to deter the young engineer that had an unstoppable drive. It is said that he was able to give up everything to get his design accepted such that he even went back to school and at a time gave away the jewelleries of his wife to obtain some money to aid his research. His doggedness later paid off when Toyota gave him a contract to build a factory in order to produce pistons even though the factory was taken up in an earthquake later.
Honda had a little break, in the 1940s when the World War II caused a shortage in the supply of gasoline, Honda cars were not been used but being self propelled, it was said that he fixed a small engine to a bicycle to get through the period. The end of the war saw the building Honda Technical Research Institute in the city of Hamamatsu. The institute was to study the possibility of manufacturing small 2-cycle motor bikes. The success in that led to the invitation of shop owners, numbering about 18,000 to deliberate on how to rebuild ruins the war had left on Japan. This meeting gave birth to the famous Honda Cub, the first in the series of the Honda Motor Company, the world largest by 1964. The first automobile was a small pick up van known as T360 sold in 1963. In terms of the components of the pick-up, it had 4 gasoline engine possibility grouped as a cheaper Kei Car tax bracket. In terms of the car, the first to be turned out by Honda was the S500 later in the same 1963.
Honda is today one of the leading automobiles manufacturers in the world. They have been into automobiles, motorcycles, and internal combustion engines more than half a century ago. For the engines, their products are measured by volume yet the company turns out more than 14 million annually, a feat yet to be matched. Production wise, Nissan trailed behind Honda, just as it grew over Chrysler becoming the fourth largest car producer in the United States and today Honda is the proud sixth largest producer of automobiles in the world. The history of Honda came out in flying colors in 1986 when it launched Acura.
Besides the business of automobiles, Honda is also into marine engines, personal watercraft, garden equipment, power generators and other such products. The spirit of the period took the company into artificial intelligence otherwise known as robotics. Their research in that area paid off when ASIMO appeared in the year 2000. After artificial intelligence, came some researches in aerospace when they built GE Honda Aero Engines and few others still in the pipe line. Also see: Facts about Honda.
Facts about Honda
The official headquarters of Honda is located in the town of Minato, in the city of Tokyo Japan. As a multinational company, it is quoted in the Tokyo Stock Exchange and the New York Stock Exchange among others.
As a conglomerate, Honda is assembled in places like Belgium, Canada, Pakistan, China, India, Thailand, Peru, and Turkey to mention but a few. However, the major assembling locations of Honda are Japan proper and America. In fact, it is estimated that in the last one year, more than 80 percent of Honda products used in the United States are assembled in that country, particularly in North American plants. There are new partnerships going on in different part of the world. For instance, in India there is Hero Honda Motorcycles and Honda Siel Cars. China hosts Guangzhou Honda and Dongfeng Honda just as we can find in Pakistan Honda Atlas. The Honda Company based in America is located however in City of Torrance in California but Honda Canada is in Toronto, Ontario even though the manufacturing outfit in that country is in Alliston, Ontario.
Despite the grounding economic situation in the world, Honda has continued to lead in the market. The economic crunch brought high fuel prices leading to many people abandoning their vehicles for the cost of fuelling it. But that was exactly where and when Honda spelt its superiority. Given the fact that Honda products has the best fuel economy in the automobile world, while the other companies were suffering cut down, Honda was smiling to the banks as the sales increased by one percent in the economic problem, in June 2008. Two years after, while Toyota and what is known as Detroit’s Big Three were suffering losses, Honda’s sales graph was still climbing higher and higher.
Honda’s fortune besides being traced to the usage low cost in terms of fuel and maintenance is also a function the nature of the assembling factories. The factories are made that they can easily be adjusted to give what is required at the moment. The company also has provisions to manufacture cars, trucks and other automobiles specially made for difficult places like Africa and many others. With good knowledge of the bad terrain in those parts of the world, Honda build’s in special features that makes the vehicles adapted to the environment. Honda and their arch rivals, Nissan and Toyota however also had their own share of the global economic breakdown. The impact of the situation though it did not affect their sales, it did affect their profit. The reason for this is that no company is an island in a global world.
Honda vehicles on the market today are reliable, safe and long lasting. Models that continue to stand the test of time include the Accord, Civic, Rav 4 and the very popular Odyssey.
Whether buying a new or a used car, there are advantages and disadvantages to both. Buying a car is not a very simple thing. Although it is a big investment, there are valuable lessons that people need to learn before they venture into buying a car. The benefits associated with buying a car are numerous and fulfilling. The advantages usually attract many. It can be agreed that a car is a necessary tool and not a luxury anymore these days. The reason for writing this article is to give a few pros and cons for buying a car, whether new or used.
Comparing New Cars versus Used Cars
It is generally easier to make comparison between a used car and a new car so that one can arrive at a decision before buying. Since a new car and a used car are usually very different, it is easier to make such comparison and arrive at wise decision. It is not difficult to compare two new cars of the same model. This is because new cars usually have similar systems, functionality and mileage description for a particular model. The only difference available to decide upon when thinking about new versus new is the color variety. There are obviously different colors for one particular model that one can choose from. However, there is a possibility to do such comparison based on the prices offered by various dealers on their inventory.
The price from one dealer can be far much different from another; this can depend on different factors. But it is not possible to compare two used cars from different dealers and come up with any concrete decision on why you are opting for the other one and not the other. The two used cars you might want to compare might have been used in very different conditions which warrant different price quotation and sales.
When you are thinking of a new car, you may surely be able to save your time because the comparison is easy and can be faster. With one simple quote form you fill, several competitive prices might be offered to give you a wide range of choices.
Car Factory Warranty
A warranty offer is something that should never be overlooked. It is very important like buying the car itself. If you get a car without a warranty, you will have to cater for the cost of repair even if something happens to it the day after the purchase. This is also one of the major reasons why buying a car from reliable dealers is paramount. Although it is possible to buy a used car with at least some small factory warranty remaining on it, it is good to have a full warranty period from the factory or manufactures. This insures you from financial losses you might incur if the warranty was absent and the car gets a problem. Also see: Things to consider when shopping for a Car.
Things to Consider when Shopping for a Car
When you are considering buying a new car, the history of the car is irrelevant. With a new car, it is obvious that there is no history. The car is unused. Its mileage is as indicated on it by the manufacturers. Previous accidents history is clean. However, when buying a used car, it is possible to be cheated about the true history of the car. It might have been engaged in a serious road crash but the owner took it for refurbishing and rebranding to make it appear like one in a good condition. This is something that does not happened when dealing with a new car option. The clear history is a foundation for confidence that what you are getting is true. Used car subject people to serious research to know everything about them, you can only be sure about them if you are dealing with a renowned car dealer company. It is also very easy to get quotes for new cars online.
Reimbursement
Only new car buyers benefit from factory rebates. If you buy a used car, it is not possible to have a reimbursement plan. The rebates also vary with season, models and the company you are dealing with. However, they are available to car buyers. This is something that makes buying a new car better than going for a used one.
There are Special Financing Rates
Consumers of new car models normally benefit from special financing rates offered by car dealers. The consumers get those rates as incentives. Although there are many lenders that offer special rates to car buyers including those who are buying new ones, there are some financing that can be a benefit to those who buy new cars. There are a number of dealers who have special promotions to car buyers. Qualified buyers are given some special benefits. Such things are only done by dealers of new car models rather than those for used cars.
Leasing Only Makes Sense for New Cars
There are several car leasing companies. The reality is that leasing companies give specific mileage coverage allowed for the car you get throughout the lease. If the used car has covered some mileage, its lease may make very little sense. New cars are therefore better when it comes to matters pertaining to leasing. The lease period for a new car is more reasonable. It gives the user a good time and enough mileage during the lease period.
The Depreciation
You will find that most buyers of a used car are more advantaged when it comes to depreciation. The larger part of the depreciation has been absorbed by the first owner of the car. For him the resale rate my not lower so much. However there are new vehicles whose depreciation rates remain very high even when they have been used for longer time. This still makes buying a new car models superior to that of getting a smaller one.
The Price
Buying a used car is cheaper that getting a new one. Used cars are usually sold at lower rates than what they were bought at originally. This is an advantage that one gets from buying a used car rather than going for a new one. However, the advantage is still limited to simply price comparison.
Shopping for a new car is easy with the right know-how and common sense. Knowing the type of new car you are looking to buy will make the process go even smoother. Are you looking for a sedan, van or truck for four, seven or only two passengers? Do you want a sports car or an economy car? All of these factors play an important role in your purchase of a brand new vehicle.
The Right Car
The ability to find the right new car to suit your needs is the first step to owning your new ride. Not only the make and model of the car is the only decision that needs to be made here, determining how much you are willing to spend is a driving force behind your purchase. Can you afford a current year car at top dollar? If so you will also want to factor in how long you plan on owning the car and blue book price of the vehicle some time in the future when you will want to turn the car in for a newer model.
Perhaps if you are leasing the vehicle and do not plan on paying off the balance then future value estimates may not be important. However, the cost of leasing also needs to be apart of your future spending as monthly car notes will have to be paid in order to retain your car. Some new car leasing is far less as low as $200 a month or lower on less expensive new cars while luxury or larger vehicles cost more per month. Finding the right car for you and your family is an important step.
Make and Model of the Car
The brand of your dreams will affect your purchasing price as well. You need to determine beforehand whether or not you will stick to a certain brand or if the brand is irrelevant. For instance you may want to buy a new car of your favorite SUV Company. You may not want to look at any other cars brands but that particular brand. A choice such as this will affect your purchase price and may help you to keep within a certain budget when buying. On the other hand searching a dealership for a new car of any brand that catches you eye will have an effect on your purchasing as well.
A new car is generally considered to be a model from the current or just the previous year. New care typically cost more then used or older cars but the privilege of owning a new car is having the latest features, less upkeep as old cars require much more repair work and in many cases more gas mileage known as miles per gallon (MPG). Also see: Decisions that affect your car purchase.
Decisions that Affect your Car Purchase
The amount of miles per gallon affects the decision of many new car owners especially in our present economy. Most if not all new car shoppers are looking for the best value for their dollar. The more MPG a car has will help you to save on gas the time you have your car. Buying a large gas gosling SUV that only has 10 miles per gallon is a bit extreme in the times we live in now. You ma want to avoid such a gas hog and go for a much more sensible car like a mid sized sedan or even a hybrid car.
New hybrid cars run on gas and electricity and have a significant cut in the amount of spending you will pay for fuel. The smaller the car will yield far less gas prices but if you have a family you may need a nice size car with great MPG. Fortunately more car companies are producing models that are both accommodating for your family’s size as well as with cars having increases MPG with 23 or more miles per gallon.
Research Safety Rating
With your family in mind buying a new car with a spotless safety rating is vital in the case you ever get into an accident. In the very unfortunate event that you are in a crash a car with a high safety rating may save your life. While some vehicles are gorgeous eye candy they may not be safe as compact economy cars.
Researching a car’s safely rating in online is easy as searching in any major search engine and entering the name of the car brand or model and then the phrase safely rating. A display of several if not thousands of results will come up for you to research and determine which price, MPG and safety rating of a new car will be the one for you.
Buying from a Dealer
Once you have come down to the right model to suit you and your family’s needs based on the research you have conducted online or from reading automotive magazines then you are ready to buy. For buying a new car you have several options available to you including buying from a dealership or ordering a new vehicle online. The average person will most likely gravitate to buying a new car from a dealership.
Going to a dealer has several advantages such as being able to drive your brand new car off of the lot and experiencing that great new car smell. Talking to a dealer is another advantage, a knowledgeable dealer can answer any if all questions you may have about the new car. Choosing additional features for your new car or cutting back and going with the basic model are some of the choices available to you from a dealership.
The dealer mechanic services are also available to you in the future for tune ups or any other services you wish to have. With the right research and knowledge about the new car you are looking to buy your purchasing process will be simple and help to ensure you buy the right car for your needs and the needs of your precious passengers.