TOKYO — Honda Motor Co. has long thrived on a reputation for stubborn industry independence, cutting-edge engineering and — perhaps most of all — near-bulletproof engines deployed in everything from airplanes and race cars to lawnmowers.
But today's satisfied driver of a Honda Civic or Acura NSX may hardly recognize the Japanese automaker in 20 years under a radical revolution being led by recently installed CEO Toshihiro Mibe.
If his transformation succeeds, Honda Motor Co. will take a page from Elon Musk's SpaceX and start making rockets. Honda will drop its long-standing aversion to tie-ups with other companies and possibly combine with new partners, even tech companies outside the automotive world.