MELBOURNE: Honda Australia is celebrating its 50th birthday this year, marking half a century since the company was established locally on Feb 4, 1969.

Although Honda products had been imported and distributed around Australia by a variety of private companies since the 1950s, the brand’s official local presence began when Honda Motor Company in Japan sent Hidehiko Shiomi to Melbourne to setup a unified, national representation for Honda in Australia.

“Honda Australia was a Honda subsidiary set up primarily to sell cars, but it has since grown with the global Honda brand to deliver a wide range of products and services that help make people’s lives more enjoyable,” said Honda Australia managing director and CEO Hiroyuki Shimizu.

From cars and motorcycles to generators, lawn mowers and marine engines, Honda’s diverse range of products have been enjoyed by millions of Australians over the last 50 years.

To mark such a significant milestone, a unified Honda Australia has created a one-off collection of some of its current iconic performance products, resplendent in striking gold bodywork as the traditional symbol of a 50th Anniversary.

The Honda Australia ‘golden era of performance’ lineup covers everything from generators to supercars, featuring seven of Honda’s latest and greatest products:
- NSX hybrid supercar
- Civic Type R high-performance hot hatch
- CBR1000RR Fireblade motorcycle from the Supersport range
- CRF450L next-generation motorcycle from the Enduro range
- CRF50F Kids Fun bike, Honda’s best-selling off road machine
- HRU19 Buffalo Premium lawnmower, proudly designed and assembled here in Australia
- EU22i Generator, the world’s best-selling Super Quiet, leisure generator

The celebratory golden collection of products will be used throughout the year to inspire, thank and connect with Honda Australia customers.

Honda Australia partnered with Melbourne-based specialists Vinyl Wraps and Graphics to conceptualise and produce the striking gold bodywork on each of the products.

A gold chrome film was laminated with a clear satin film to help disperse reflections, resulting in a unique and refined finish that changes tone with the prevailing light source.

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