In October 1949, Takeo Fujisawa joined Honda Motor Company as its managing director. Fujisawa primarily looked after the company’s financials while Honda focused on the manufacturing process.

According to Honda’s website, their partnership was a good example of “the right man in the right place.” It added that together, the two men made the ideal managerial combination and couldn’t have managed without the other.

European auto giant Volkswagen (VLKAY) and Japanese automaker Toyota were founded in 1937, well ahead of Honda Motor Company. However, these companies were founded much later than the bedrock companies of mainstream US automakers (IYK), such as Ford (F) in 1903 and General Motors (GM) in 1908.

Currently, Honda is primarily listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange. In the US, the company’s ADRs (American depositary receipts) trade on the New York Stock Exchange.