No, Husqvarna is not owned by Honda. Husqvarna is a Swedish company that manufactures outdoor power equipment including chainsaws, lawn mowers, trimmers, garden tractors and more. Honda is a Japanese multinational conglomerate corporation known for making automobiles, motorcycles and power equipment.
History of Husqvarna
Husqvarna was founded in 1689 as a weapons manufacturer in the town of Huskvarna, Sweden. For over 300 years, Husqvarna specialized in producing muskets, rifles and other firearms. In the late 1800s, the company began making sewing machines and kitchen appliances as well. It wasn’t until 1959 that Husqvarna started manufacturing outdoor power equipment like chainsaws and lawn mowers.
The first Husqvarna motorcycle was introduced in 1903. Over the next decades, Husqvarna became well-known for its high performance dirt bikes and motocross bikes. Husqvarna motorcycles competed in racing events like the Motocross World Championships.
In 1978, Husqvarna was acquired by Electrolux AB and shifted focus to outdoor power equipment. Then in 1995, Electrolux sold off the motorcycle division of Husqvarna to focus solely on outdoor power tools and equipment for forestry, lawn and garden. The Husqvarna Group continued operation as a subsidiary of Electrolux.
History of Honda
Honda Motor Company was founded in 1946 by engineer Soichiro Honda and businessman Takeo Fujisawa in Hamamatsu, Japan. It started out producing motorized bicycles propelled by small engines. In the 1950s and 1960s, Honda greatly expanded its product line to include motorcycles, scooters, cars, trucks and power equipment like lawnmowers and generators.
One of Honda’s first popular motorcycles was the Honda Super Cub introduced in 1958. By the 1960s, Honda was the biggest motorcycle manufacturer in the world producing motorbikes like the CB and CL series. Honda later succeeded in the automotive industry with cars like the Civic, Accord and CR-V.
For power equipment, Honda makes general purpose engines, generators, lawn mowers, tillers, snowblowers, string trimmers, water pumps and more. Its subsidiary the Honda Motor Company produces and sells Honda power equipment products worldwide.
Husqvarna Ownership History
Here is a quick summary of Husqvarna’s ownership history:
- 1689 – Founded in Huskvarna, Sweden
- 1978 – Acquired by Electrolux AB
- 1995 – Electrolux sells off Husqvarna motorcycle division
- 2006 – Husqvarna AB sold to Investment AB Latour
- 2007 – Husqvarna acquires Gardena’s division for irrigation equipment
- 2013 – Husqvarna acquired by KKR and Wallenberg Foundations
- 2015 – Husqvarna acquires assets of Zenoah of Japan
- 2017 – Publicly listed on the Nasdaq Stockholm Stock Exchange
As you can see, Husqvarna has never been owned by Honda. It started as its own independent Swedish company in 1689 and over the centuries has been owned by various other Swedish entities like Electrolux and Investment AB Latour. Today, Husqvarna AB operates as a public company traded on the Swedish stock exchange.
Conclusion
In summary, Husqvarna and Honda are two major manufacturers of outdoor power equipment like chainsaws, lawn mowers, generators, etc. However, they originated as completely separate companies based in Sweden and Japan respectively. Honda has never acquired or owned Husqvarna over the brand’s 300+ year history. So while they compete in some similar product segments, Honda does not have ownership of the Husqvarna brand.