Honda Marine Turns 50 Years Young

2014 is a milestone year for Honda, with the company celebrating the 50^th anniversary of the very first Honda four-stroke outboard engine, the GB30. A modest 4hp engine, it represented the noble ambitions of Honda’s founder, Soichiro Honda, to manufacture only four-stroke engines for the benefit of the environment and generations to come.

Now, with a range that stretches from the BF2.3 to the mighty BF250 – and includes the latest additions, the BF80 & BF100 – Honda Marine continues to be a leader in four-stroke outboard engine technology.

“Honda has to make environmentally-friendly products; therefore we must build four-stroke outboards,” Mr Honda said in 1964. “I don’t care if everyone is making two-stroke outboards, Honda must make four-stroke outboards.”

Honda Australia General Manager – Marine, Victor Colcott, sees 50 years in any industry as an impressive achievement, let alone one as competitive as the Australian marine industry.

“Given the changes that this industry has gone through over the past five decades,” Mr Colcott said, “it is a testament to Honda that we are still a leader in the industry when it comes to environmentally-friendly innovation and performance.

“We’ve grown our range to cater for all boating enthusiasts. From the unbridled performance of our high-horsepower engines all the way down to the convenience of our portable range, there’s something for everyone.

“To everyone who has ever bought a Honda outboard, and to all Honda Marine dealers and staff around Australia, thank you. Here’s to the next 50 years!”

To keep up-to-date on all Honda’s 50^th Anniversary celebrations, including a competition later in the year, visit marine.honda.com.au/50_Years or search #HondaMarine50Years on Twitter.

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