Honda: the 50th anniversary of the founding of Honda Italia remembered [PHOTO]

Honda Italy Industrial SpA celebrated the 13 October i 50 years since its foundation. Present on the occasion. at the production plant in Val di Sangro, the high officials of Honda Management, authorities and social partners.

Historical notes

Initially known as IAP Industriale (Industria Automotoagricola Produzione), Honda Italia operated in the assembly of motorcycles arriving from overseas and imported Honda-branded products for Italy. In the 1976, with the start of production of the first example of Italian-Japanese collaboration, the CB125, this reality evolves. A lightweight motorcycle took shape in the Atessa factory, using semi-finished components from Japan and other parts made in Italy. In the first year of activity, 2.800 examples were produced, i.e. 12 motorcycles per day. Since then there has been a path of constant growth. In the 1981 the Japanese giant acquired direct control of the production and commercial activity and the company name became official Honda Italy Industrial SpA

Therefore the history of Honda Italia in Val di Sangro, where there were no production plants, began in September 1971 and it has evolved over ten years, as mentioned. After becoming Honda Italia Industriale SpA, the first motorcycle produced in Atessa plant it was the XL125, designed for the Italian market, which brought many enthusiasts to enduro bikes, compared to other examples produced by Italian brands. And with this model it began in 1985 also the export activity for Honda Italia. In the same year the development of the NS125F, one of the most famous sports cars of the period. Then it came too NSR125F, one of the first naked sports cars we remember.
Over time, other models have also been developed such as Vision 50 in 1992, NX650 Dominator produced later and for the first time Honda Motor entrusted the development of a large-displacement motorcycle to a European plant, but also the CB500 in 1995. The production of engines for lawnmowers and other uses also began in the same period. Then in 1996 Honda Italia took care of the second generation of SH with 50cc and 100cc two-stroke units and scooters have been an important part of the work carried out at the Atessa plant ever since.

In the 21st century

In 2001 the strategic importance of Honda Italia was underlined by the transfer of production to Italy Hornet 600, but also with the development of the series CBF (500/600) with ABS and in 2006 with the marketing of CBF1000, the first 4-cylinder model developed in the old continent. Equally important was the SH family, given the arrival of the specimens SH125 e SH150.
One of Honda Italia's important goals was achieved in 2008 with 2 million motorcycles, 4 million Power Equipment engines developed and EMAS certification, production that respects the environment. The first European metalworking company in the two-wheel sector to have received this certification.
However, thinking back to 15 September 2008, we also remember the effects of the profound global economic crisis which also affected the motorcycle market. A situation managed carefully, then in 2014 the clouds cleared and the model also entered production Force 125 with a production of 80 thousand pieces per year. Another interesting piece in this historical journey was also the definitive transformation of the company to raise the level of internal competitiveness with “The pact for the development of Honda Italia”, thinking about continuity over the years in Val di Sangro.
An activity continued in December 2016 with the production of SH125 e SH150, characterized by a design conceived in Honda Europe Design Center in Rome and reaching another milestone: one million SH produced, celebrated on 24 April 2017.

Then the 2 October 2018 another contract with the trade unions marked the agreement between the company and the social partners to stabilize production volumes and the entire workforce. Then we have reached the most recent period with the management of the health emergency linked to Covid-19 and further developments on the horizon.
On this occasion, in fact, we highlight the assignment of a to the plant new model which represents a further technological evolution in the two-wheel mobility sector. A new model premiered at EICMA, the planned international two-wheel exhibition from the 25 28 November.
An example which, according to the indications, will be agile in urban use and characterized by an off-road design with the same lights set as an off-road vehicle, LCD instruments and technological suspensions. Also highlighted are: "the introduction of Top Bridge technology, testing of ABS systems for homologation purposes for the European market, on-off tire management, TCS system with double setting".
Honda Italia currently has 600 employees, which rise to around 900 during the high season. Up to 500 motorcycles can leave the production line every day.

Photo: Honda Motor Europe Ltd. Italy – Honda Italia Industriale SpA