Automobiles and Motorcycles
The automobile has long been a common mode of transportation on the roads. During the early twentieth century, automobile manufacturers competed for market share. In the United States, Ford, General Motors, and Chrysler became the “Big Three” automakers.
However, the automobile had its ups and downs. After World War II, automobile production rebounded. Mass production made auto manufacturers more competitive. But cars still required a lot of maintenance and upkeep. They also ran on gasoline or diesel. They had four doors and seats for passengers.
It’s hard to say which was more appealing to the consumer, a motorcycle or a car. A motorcycle can be personalized to a buyer’s taste. They can be fun to drive and can also be a romantic date option. But a car can be more practical in many situations, including towing a trailer. And, as a general rule, it’s easier to tow a car than a motorcycle. A motorcycle can even carry a family or a group of passengers.
In the late 1950s, Japanese motorcycle manufacturer Honda set up shop in Los Angeles. They had already conducted market surveys in Southeast Asia and Europe. They wanted to see how well the U.S. market would accept their new product. They also wanted to expand their sales network.
The first step was to buy a property near West Pico Boulevard. A former photo studio was acquired. They hired a team of twelve salesmen, who covered several states. In 1961, American Honda’s monthly sales reached a high of 1,000 units. They started a national search for sales outlets.
They also created a promotional campaign. A Honda ad featured a bright color illustration and a respectable looking group of people riding a motorcycle. This compared favorably to the outlaw motorcycle image.
The Super Cub was designed to be both easy to ride and quiet. The four-stroke engine was powerful enough to give it twice the horsepower of competing products. Its compact design, along with its streamlined beetle-like shape, helped to make it an attractive vehicle for women. It had wide steps, making it difficult for a woman’s skirt to be lifted by the wind.
The Stout Scarab was another popular model. It was a passenger-carrying vehicle with a front engine and a rear engine. It was a precursor to the minivan. It was also designed by William Bushnell Stout, who had his own engineering firm.
Besides being a more cost effective alternative to a car, a motorcycle can help a consumer avoid traffic. It can also normalize regular road trips.
When American Honda moved to its current location in Torrance in 1990, it began to build a strong base for future expansion. They started to add optional accessories to their line of products, which included the Honda Civic. They also started to sponsor a number of events in the U.S. They even sponsored the Academy Awards show.
They also developed the CR-X, a fuel-efficient vehicle that outperformed the average American car in fuel economy. The CR-X achieved more than 50 miles per gallon.