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Something Alive. The unusual managerial approach has paid off. With five plants in Japan, a joint venture in Thailand, and subsidiaries in seven foreign countries, Honda reported $331.6 million in sales for the year ending Aug. 31, up $15.4 million from fiscal '65. Net profits are up $3,500,000 for the same period. In addition to cycles and cars, Honda produces a profitable range of products including small trucks, multipurpose engines, portable generators, power tillers, outboard motors and lawn mowers. Honda's plans for the future include a full range of automobiles and an airplane engine.
Motorcycles still account for 80% of the company's sales, and their throaty purr is the sound the Shacho-san loves best. "Driving a car," says Honda, straddling one of his new motor bikes, "is like sitting in a living room. Driving a motorcycle is like controlling something almost alive."