Honda and Hitachi acquire Keihin, Showa, and Nissin

Components brands to become Hitachi Automotive Systems

You may be familiar with the brands Keihin, Showa and Nissin; especially when your motorcycle is manufactured by one of the “Big 4” Japanese motorcycle manufacturers, or brands like Triumph, Royal Enfield, KTM, or Harley-Davidson. These companies are household names when it comes to motorcycle components such as fuel systems, suspension and steering systems, as well as braking systems.

On October 30, Honda Motor Co., Ltd., and Hitachi, Ltd. have agreed to merge Keihin, Showa, and Nissin to form Hitachi Automotive Systems (HAS). The announcement came after Honda bought out all the remaining shares of the said companies to make them wholly-owned subsidiaries, then integrating them into HAS. Upon completion, Honda will hold a 33.4% stake of HAS while Hitachi will have a 66.6% stake.

“We are very pleased and excited to have established a partnership towards the new era. We are confident that by the synergy created by intercrossing the strengths of the three companies that are active as the core of the Honda Group with that of Hitachi Automotive Systems, technological development will further accelerate,” said Noriya Kaihara, Managing Officer, Honda Motor Co., Ltd.

Although there are no exact dates given, Keihin, Showa and Nissin will be dissolved for good. According to the press release by Honda, the Integrated Company is scheduled to make “Hitachi” or “HITACHI” its corporate brand. The brands of each product that were used in Hitachi Automotive Systems, Keihin, Showa, or Nissin before the occurrence of the Absorption-type Merger will be continued to be used for now, from the viewpoint of maximizing the corporate value of the Integrated Company.

Keihin Corporation was founded on December 19, 1956, and has its head office in Shinjuku Ward, Tokyo, Japan. It produces carburetors and fuel injection systems and is a major supplier to Honda vehicles and products. The company also supplies fuel systems for Triumph, Suzuki, Kawasaki, KTM, Royal Enfield and Harley-Davidson.

In addition to carburetors, Keihin supplies the automotive industry with engine, transmission and climate control products, including intake manifold assemblies, HVAC assemblies, compressors, valves, solenoids, and electronic control units.

Showa Corporation is a manufacturer of high-performance automotive, motorcycle and outboard suspension systems based in Gyoda, Saitama in Japan. The company was founded in 1938 as Showa Aircraft Precision Works. Showa supplied aircraft suspension and landing systems to various Japanese aircraft manufacturers during WWII. After the war, Showa entered the car components industry, using its aircraft knowledge to develop specialist suspension products for motorcycles made by then-new company Honda. Showa also has overseas facilities in Brazil, Canada, China, India, Indonesia, Mexico, Spain, Taiwan, Thailand, United Kingdom, United States, and Vietnam.

Nissin Kogyo (NISSIN), is a Japanese automotive parts company that specializes in the manufacturing of braking systems. The company was founded in 1953 and has close to 10,000 employees around the world. Nissin Kogyo is headquartered in Nagano, Japan, with subsidiary manufacturing plants in Ohio and Georgia, USA, Mexico, Brazil, India, Thailand, Vietnam and China.