Motorcycles

Bridgestone Corporate Office

The first Bridgestone tire was manufactured in 1930 by the Japanese “Tabi” Socks Tyre Division. In 1931, founder Shōjirō Ishibashi made the company its own division called Bridgestone Tire Co, Ltd.

The company headquarters was destroyed during WWII. After the war, the company began to produce motorcycle tires.

In 1959, the company began to sell nylon tires.

In 1961, the company went public.

In 1967, the company introduced its first radial tire, the RD10. The company also created Bridgestone America this same year.

In 1988, the company purchased the Firestone Tire and Rubber Company. Firestone was merged with Bridgestone America in 1990 to form Bridgestone Americas, Inc.

Today, Bridgestone is one of the largest automotive tire manufacturers in the world. The company has manufacturing plants in 24 countries worldwide.

Bridgestone

The company headquarters was destroyed during WWII. After the war, the company began to produce motorcycle tires.

In 1959, the company began to sell nylon tires.

History

In 1961, the company went public.

In 1967, the company introduced its first radial tire, the RD10. The company also created Bridgestone America this same year.

In 1988, the company purchased the Firestone Tire and Rubber Company. Firestone was merged with Bridgestone America in 1990 to form Bridgestone Americas, Inc.

Today, Bridgestone is one of the largest automotive tire manufacturers in the world. The company has manufacturing plants in 24 countries worldwide.

Goodyear was founded in 1898 by Frank Seiberling in Akron, Ohio where the headquarters remain today. The company is named after Charles Goodyear, who invented vulcanized rubber. They originally produced carriage and bicycle tires.

In 1901, the company provided Ford with racing tires. By 1908, all Model T’s feature Goodyear tires.

In 1925, the first Goodyear blimp is launched.

By 1926, Goodyear is the largest rubber company in the world.

In 1927, the company goes public.

In 1944, the company opens a subsidiary called Goodyear-Oxo in Mexico.

In 1986, the company completed a huge buyback on common stock after a hostile takeover attempt was launched by James Goldsmith.

Today, Goodyear is one of the largest tire manufacturers in the world. Besides automobiles, they also manufacture tires for trucks (light & commercial), race cars, airplanes and farm equipment.

Goodyear

In 1901, the company provided Ford with racing tires. By 1908, all Model T’s feature Goodyear tires.

In 1925, the first Goodyear blimp is launched.

History

By 1926, Goodyear is the largest rubber company in the world.

In 1927, the company goes public.

In 1944, the company opens a subsidiary called Goodyear-Oxo in Mexico.

In 1986, the company completed a huge buyback on common stock after a hostile takeover attempt was launched by James Goldsmith.

Today, Goodyear is one of the largest tire manufacturers in the world. Besides automobiles, they also manufacture tires for trucks (light & commercial), race cars, airplanes and farm equipment.

Honda Corporate Office

Honda was founded in 1946 by Soichiro Honda, who opened the Honda Technical Institute. Their first product was a bicycle engine.

In 1958, the company unveils its Super Cub motorbike.

In 1959, the American Honda Motor Company opens in Los Angeles, California.

In 1963, the S500 sports car is released in Japan.

In 1964, Honda’s Sayama plant begins producing automobiles.

In 1966, the N360 compact car is debuted.

In 1969, the CB750 motorcycle is launched.

In 1972, the Honda Civic is released.

In 1978, the Honda Prelude is released.

In 1986, the Acura brand is launched.

By 1989, the Honda Accord has become the best selling car in America.

In 1990, the Acura NSX supercar is debuted.

Honda issued a recall affecting more than 1.6 million Honda’s and Acura’s with Takata air bags that could potentially cause death. The recall affects other manufacturers as well and was so large, it forced Takata into bankruptcy.

The company is expanding into other areas including aircraft, robots, bicycles, and solar power.

Honda makes about 1/3rd of the Hondas sold in the US at a plant in Ohio but uses parts imported from Japan. The Honda Passport receives high rankings and is made in Alabama.

In December 2020, Honda announced a recall of nearly 2 million vehicles worldwide for master window switches that could catch fire.

Today, Honda Motor Company manufactures cars, motorcycles and other small engine items. Honda has been the world’s largest motorcycle manufacturer since 1959.

Honda

Honda was founded in 1946 by Soichiro Honda, who opened the Honda Technical Institute. Their first product was a bicycle engine.

In 1958, the company unveils its Super Cub motorbike.

History

In 1959, the American Honda Motor Company opens in Los Angeles, California.

In 1963, the S500 sports car is released in Japan.

In 1964, Honda’s Sayama plant begins producing automobiles.

In 1966, the N360 compact car is debuted.

In 1969, the CB750 motorcycle is launched.

In 1972, the Honda Civic is released.

In 1978, the Honda Prelude is released.

In 1986, the Acura brand is launched.

By 1989, the Honda Accord has become the best selling car in America.

In 1990, the Acura NSX supercar is debuted.

The company is expanding into other areas including aircraft, robots, bicycles, and solar power.

Honda makes about 1/3rd of the Hondas sold in the US at a plant in Ohio but uses parts imported from Japan. The Honda Passport receives high rankings and is made in Alabama.

In December 2020, Honda announced a recall of nearly 2 million vehicles worldwide for master window switches that could catch fire.

Today, Honda Motor Company manufactures cars, motorcycles and other small engine items. Honda has been the world’s largest motorcycle manufacturer since 1959.

Harley Davidson Corporate Office

Harley Davidson was founded in 1901 by William S. Harley and Arthur Davidson in Milwaukee, Wisconsin when Harley designed a 116cc engine and attached it to a bicycle frame.

In 1903, the first real motorcycle was created with a 405cc engine.

In 1905, they began selling their engines to people via magazine advertisements.

In 1906, a factory was built on Chestnut Street.

Harley-Davidson provided about 15,000 motorcycles to the war effort in WWI.

By 1920, Harley-Davidson was the largest motorcycle manufacturer in the world.

Harley-Davidson was one of only 2 American motorcycle manufacturers to survive the great depression.

The company has undergone several sales and many changes since WWII. The company is publicly traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol: HOG. In 2013, the company reported revenue of $5.25 billion.

The company began producing and selling their motorcycles in India in 2010.

In June 2019, Harley announced it was teaming with a Chinese firm to produce small motorcycles for the Chinese market to be sold in 2020.

CEO Matthew Levatich stated in a June 2019 interview that it would be difficult to return manufacturing to the US and that Europe’s response to Trump’s tariffs has been detrimental to many American companies.

Marcolin eyewear renewed their contract with Harley Davidson in 2019 to continue to manufacture their sunglasses.

Today, the company produces over 150,000 motorcycles per year and enjoys a very high brand loyalty. The Harley-Davidson corporate office is still located in Milwaukee.

Harley Davidson

Harley Davidson was founded in 1901 by William S. Harley and Arthur Davidson in Milwaukee, Wisconsin when Harley designed a 116cc engine and attached it to a bicycle frame.

In 1903, the first real motorcycle was created with a 405cc engine.

History

In 1905, they began selling their engines to people via magazine advertisements.

In 1906, a factory was built on Chestnut Street.

Harley-Davidson provided about 15,000 motorcycles to the war effort in WWI.

By 1920, Harley-Davidson was the largest motorcycle manufacturer in the world.

Harley-Davidson was one of only 2 American motorcycle manufacturers to survive the great depression.

The company began producing and selling their motorcycles in India in 2010.

In June 2019, Harley announced it was teaming with a Chinese firm to produce small motorcycles for the Chinese market to be sold in 2020.

Marcolin eyewear renewed their contract with Harley Davidson in 2019 to continue to manufacture their sunglasses.

Today, the company produces over 150,000 motorcycles per year and enjoys a very high brand loyalty. The Harley-Davidson corporate office is still located in Milwaukee.