Who is the owner of Honda?
Honda is a publicly traded company, so there isn’t a single owner. It is owned by its shareholders, including a broad mix of individual investors and institutions around the world.
Understanding how ownership works at a global automaker
As a multinational corporation listed on stock exchanges, Honda’s shares are held by a diverse base of investors. Ownership is distributed rather than concentrated, with both retail investors and large institutions participating. The company also uses employee stock ownership plans and custodial trusts that hold shares on behalf of beneficiaries.
Key facts about how ownership is distributed and how governance is conducted are summarized below.
- Honda is a publicly traded company with ownership spread across a large base of individual and institutional investors.
- The largest holdings are typically held by institutional investors and trust accounts, rather than a single person or family.
- Board oversight and executive leadership are elected by shareholders and designed to manage the company on behalf of all owners.
In summary, ownership is widely distributed and does not confer a controlling stake to any one individual, though large investors can influence strategy through their voting rights and board representation.
Who are the largest holders?
Shareholding data changes over time, but several institutions are frequently among Honda’s top holders. The list below reflects typical major holders as reported in recent annual filings and investor disclosures. For precise percentages and rankings, consult Honda’s latest annual report or shareholder information.
- The Master Trust Bank of Japan, Ltd. (trust account) — often the largest single holder due to its role as a custodian for multiple employee and retirement plans.
- The Vanguard Group, Inc. — a major global asset manager with sizable index and other allocations.
- Nippon Life Insurance Company — one of Japan’s largest life insurers with broad investment participation.
- BlackRock, Inc. — a leading global asset manager with broad holdings across markets.
- State Street Corporation — another large U.S.-based asset manager with significant holdings.
These holders illustrate the institutional, not individual, nature of Honda’s ownership. Exact rankings and stake sizes vary with trading activity and corporate actions.
Governance and oversight
Honda’s ownership structure is complemented by a governance framework in which a board of directors is elected by shareholders. The board appoints the company’s executive leadership, including the President and CEO, who oversee strategy, operations, and compliance across Honda’s global businesses. As of 2024, Toshihiro Mibe has served as President and CEO, guiding Honda through electrification and mobility initiatives.
Tie-ins between ownership and governance are indirect; while large holders can influence governance through board seats and votes, day-to-day management remains the responsibility of the executive leadership under the board’s oversight.
Summary
Honda is controlled by a broad base of shareholders rather than a single owner. Its top holders are primarily institutional investors and custodial trusts, with governance executed by a democratically elected board. For the most current ownership breakdown, refer to Honda’s latest annual report and investor relations materials.
Who is the CEO of Honda?
The CEO of Honda Motor Co., Ltd. is Toshihiro Mibe. He assumed the role of President, CEO, and Representative Director in April 2021. Before becoming CEO, he was the head of Honda's R&D subsidiary, where he focused on electrification and autonomous driving technologies.
- Current Role: President, CEO, and Representative Director of Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
- Started in Role: April 2021
- Previous Role: President and Representative Director of Honda R&D Co., Ltd.
- Expertise: Mibe has a background in engine development and has played a key role in the company's electric vehicle strategy.
Who is the founder of Honda?
Soichiro Honda invented Honda cars and was the co-founder of Honda Motor Co., along with Takeo Fujisawa. While Honda was responsible for the company's engineering and product design, Fujisawa handled the business and financial side, and they established the company in 1948.
- Co-founders: Soichiro Honda and Takeo Fujisawa founded Honda Motor Co. in 1948.
- Soichiro Honda's role: As the engineering and product visionary, Soichiro Honda was the driving force behind the company's innovations, starting with its first motorcycle in 1949. He is known for establishing the company and leading its technological development.
- Takeo Fujisawa's role: Fujisawa was the business and financial expert who managed the company's sales, finance, and marketing, allowing Honda to focus on engineering.
- Company's beginnings: The company began by manufacturing motorized bicycles before moving into cars, with its first model being the T360 mini-truck in 1963.
Who is Honda owned by?
Honda Motor Co.
Honda Motor Co. owns Acura and Honda. Hyundai Motor Group owns Genesis, Hyundai, and Kia. Mazda Motor Corp.
Is Honda still Japanese owned?
Yes, Honda still makes vehicles in Japan, but many models sold globally, especially in North America, are manufactured in other countries like the United States, Mexico, and other parts of the world. Japan is the original home of Honda and continues to be a significant manufacturing hub, with some models, especially hybrid or niche vehicles, being made there for various markets.
- Continued production in Japan: Japan remains a key manufacturing base for Honda. The company is evolving its production capabilities there and consolidating manufacturing at plants like the one in Yorii to incorporate new technologies.
- Production locations for North America: While Honda is a Japanese company, the majority of vehicles sold in North America are produced in the United States and Mexico. Honda has multiple manufacturing plants across the U.S., including locations in Ohio, Alabama, and Indiana.
- Models made in Japan: Specific models, particularly hybrid and niche vehicles, may still be built in Japan for different markets.
- Quality and components: Many components and parts for various models, even those assembled elsewhere, are still manufactured in Japan, which helps maintain quality standards.
