The Three Joys of Honda

[jayt43]

A couple of weeks ago I came across Soichiro Honda's original company motto, which was written in 1951, a few years before Honda started motor car production. In the text (below) you'll see he outlines the core principles that both the manufacturer and its dealers should follow. Coupled with the customer's experience in buying a vehicle, the elements join together to become what is known as 'The Three Joys'.

In my experience with Honda to date, I'm pleased to say that both manufacturer and the dealers I've used have lived up to expectation (with the vast majority of Civic owners, according to Pottsy's poll at least, feeling the same way).

However, what do others think? Does Honda today live up to Soichiro Honda's ideals?

And, for those having trouble with their Civics, or perhaps not receiving the customer service they ought to, it may well be worth asking a dealership and/or Honda UK what they think about 'The Three Joys'. At worst, you'll just confuse a few dealers. At best, it may be good 'moral' ammunition for a claim that's being disputed.

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THE THREE JOYS

I am presenting "The Three Joys" as the motto for our company. These are, namely, the joy of producing, the joy of selling, and the joy of buying.

The first of these, the joy of producing, is a joy known only to the engineer. Just as the Creator used an abundant will to create in making all the things that exist in the natural universe, so the engineer uses his own ideas to create products and contribute to society. This is a happiness that can hardly be compared to anything else. Furthermore, when that product is of superior quality so that society welcomes it, the engineers joy is absolutely not to be surpassed. As an engineer myself, I am constantly working in the hope of making this kind of product.

The second joy belongs to the person who sells the product. Our company is a manufacturer. The products made by our company pass into the possession of the various people who have a demand for them through the cooperation and efforts of all our agents and dealers. In this situation, when the product is of high quality, its performance is superior, and its price is reasonable, then it goes without saying that the people who engage in selling it will experience joy. Good, inexpensive items will always find a welcome. What sells well generates profits, as well as pride and happiness in handling those items. A manufacturer of products that do not bring this joy to people who sell those products is disqualified from being a manufacturer worthy of the name.

The third, the joy of the person who buys the product, is the fairest determiner of the products value. It is neither the manufacturer nor the dealer that best knows the value of the product and passes final judgment on it. Rather, it is none other than the purchaser who uses the product in his daily life. There is happiness in thinking, "Oh, Im so glad I bought this." This joy is the garland that is placed upon the products value. I am quietly confident that the value of our companys products is well advertised by those products themselves. This is because I believe that they give joy to the people who buy them.

The Three Joys form our companys motto. I am devoting all my strength in order to bring them to reality.

It is my hope that all of you, as employees of the company, will exert every effort so that you never betray this motto. I also hope that our agents will understand my desires in this regard so that we may continue to benefit from cooperation.