Haval vs Honda: Founders, CEOs and History
Haval was founded in 2013 by Wei Jianjun (Jack Wey) and is led by Mu Feng. Honda was founded in 1948 by Soichiro Honda, Takeo Fujisawa and is led by Toshihiro Mibe.
Company facts
Founders
Haval
Wei Jianjun (Jack Wey)
Wei Jianjun (Jack Wey), born in 1964, became head of Great Wall Motor in 1990 at age 26.
Honda
Soichiro Honda
Soichiro Honda founded the company in 1946. Originally a mechanic who manufactured piston rings for Toyota, he realized that post-war Japan desperately needed cheap, reliable transportation.
Takeo Fujisawa
Takeo Fujisawa co-founded Honda in 1949, serving as the absolute perfect business counterpart to Soichiro Honda's engineering obsession.
CEOs and their tenures
Haval
- Wei Jianjun1990–present
Chairman, Great Wall Motor
Wei Jianjun has led GWM since 1990 and is its controlling shareholder. He decided to separate Haval from the Great Wall brand in 2013 and still sets group strategy.
Source - Wang Fengying2002–2016
President, Great Wall Motor
Serving as the highly influential President and CEO of Great Wall Motor for nearly two decades, she built Haval into the absolute best-selling SUV brand in China before leaving to join Xpeng in 2023.
Source - Mu Feng2022–present
President and CEO, Great Wall Motor
Mu Feng runs GWM's day-to-day operations across Haval, WEY, Tank, ORA and the pickup brand, with a focus on new-energy models and global production.
Source
Honda
- Takeo Fukui2003–2009
President and Chief Executive Officer
Honda expanded production in North America and Asia under him. Takanobu Ito succeeded him in 2009.
Source - Takanobu Ito2009–2015
President and CEO
He introduced a plan to reorganise Honda global operations and handed the presidency to Takahiro Hachigo in 2015.
Source - Takahiro Hachigo2015–2021
Former President and CEO
Hachigo trimmed excess capacity and refocused Honda on hybrids, motorcycles and its core models, which improved profitability before the EV investment cycle began.
Source - Toshihiro Mibe2021–present
Director, President and Representative Executive Officer (CEO)
Mibe's tenure has been defined by the push into electrification and its costly reset. The EV charges produced Honda's first annual loss since listing, but the shift toward hybrids and motorcycles was followed by a record first-quarter profit in FY2027.
Source
Timeline: Haval and Honda side by side
1948Honda
Honda Motor Founded
Soichiro Honda establishes Honda Motor Co., Ltd. in Japan.
1959Honda
American Honda Opens
Honda enters the US market, initially building awareness through motorcycles.
1963Honda
Honda Enters Automobiles
Honda expands from motorcycles and engines into automobile production.
1972Honda
Civic Launch
The Civic becomes a defining global nameplate for Honda's fuel-efficient automobile strategy.
1986Honda
Acquired Montesa
Honda Motor Co. acquired Montesa. Honda took control of the Spanish motorcycle maker Montesa, creating Montesa Honda to build trial and off-road motorcycles in Europe.
1986Honda
Acura Brand Launched
Honda launched the Acura luxury brand in the United States in 1986.
2000Honda
ASIMO Unveiled
Honda unveiled the ASIMO humanoid robot in 2000.
2002Haval
Great Wall Safe (Saijun) SUV Launched
Launched China's first mass-market affordable SUV, igniting the domestic consumer SUV boom.
2011Haval
Launch of the Revolutionary Haval H6 Crossover
Introduced the unibody compact SUV that became China's best-selling SUV for over 100 consecutive months.
2013Haval
Haval Spun Off as Independent Dedicated SUV Brand
Wei Jianjun officially established Haval as an independent marque with its own brand logo and dealer network.
2015Honda
Takahiro Hachigo becomes CEO
Takahiro Hachigo became CEO of Honda Motor Co. in 2015. Hachigo trimmed excess capacity and refocused Honda on hybrids, motorcycles and its core models, which improved profitability before the EV investment cycle began.
2015Honda
First HondaJet Delivered
Honda delivered the first HondaJet business aircraft in December 2015.
2018Haval
Haval Cumulative Global Sales Surpasses 5 Million SUVs
Celebrated 5 million cumulative SUV sales, solidifying its title as China's 'SUV King'.
2020Haval
Launch of Haval Big Dog (DaGou) Rugged Lifestyle Crossover
Pioneered the popular 3/4-scale rugged lifestyle crossover segment, appealing to outdoor enthusiasts.
2021Honda
Toshihiro Mibe Becomes CEO
Mibe becomes CEO as Honda increases focus on electrification, software, and new mobility.
2022Haval
Mu Feng becomes CEO
Mu Feng became CEO of Haval in 2022. Mu Feng runs GWM's day-to-day operations across Haval, WEY, Tank, ORA and the pickup brand, with a focus on new-energy models and global production.
2023Haval
Launch of Proprietary Hi4 Intelligent Hybrid 4WD Technology
Commercialized GWM's dual-motor hybrid system, offering 4WD capability at 2WD pricing and fuel efficiency.
2024Haval
Haval Expands Hybrid and Export Range
Expanded Hi4 and hybrid versions of the H6, Jolion and Raptor across China and export markets.
2025Haval
About 758,000 Haval SUVs Sold
Haval remained GWM's largest brand as group revenue rose 10.2% to ~$31 billion (RMB 222.82 billion).
2026Haval
Haval H6 Refresh and Brazil Plant Plan
GWM launched a refreshed H6 in China in June 2026 and announced a new 200,000-unit factory in Espírito Santo, Brazil.
2026Honda
FY2026 Loss and EV Reset
Honda reports ~$146 billion (JPY 21.797 trillion) in sales revenue and a ~$2.84 billion (JPY 423.9 billion) loss attributable to owners after EV write-downs, then posts a record ~$3.56 billion (JPY 530.7 billion) Q1 FY2027 operating profit in August.
Acquisitions
Haval
- Mercedes-Benz Iracemápolis plant (Brazil)2021Undisclosed
- General Motors Rayong plant (Thailand)2020Undisclosed
- General Motors Talegaon plant (India asset purchase)2020Undisclosed
Honda
- Astemo, Ltd.2026Undisclosed
- Keihin Corporation2020Undisclosed
- Showa Corporation2020Undisclosed
- Nissin Kogyo Co., Ltd.2020Undisclosed
- Montesa1986Undisclosed
Questions about Haval vs Honda
Who is the CEO of Haval and Honda Motor Co., Ltd.?
Haval is led by Mu Feng and Honda Motor Co., Ltd. is led by Toshihiro Mibe. Both serve as the top executive responsible for the company's strategy, operations, and financial performance.
When was Haval founded vs Honda Motor Co., Ltd.?
Honda Motor Co., Ltd. was founded in 1948 — 65 years before Haval, which was founded in 2013. Honda Motor Co., Ltd.'s longer operating history gives it a deeper track record but also potentially more institutional inertia compared to the younger Haval.
How many employees does Haval have compared to Honda Motor Co., Ltd.?
Honda Motor Co., Ltd. employs approximately 195,109 people. A verified employee count for Haval is not currently available.
Where are Haval and Honda Motor Co., Ltd. headquartered?
Haval is headquartered in China and Honda Motor Co., Ltd. is headquartered in Japan. Their different home markets mean they may face different regulatory frameworks, tax regimes, and currency exposure.
Who founded Haval and Honda Motor Co., Ltd.?
Haval was founded by Wei Jianjun (Jack Wey). Honda Motor Co., Ltd. was founded by Soichiro Honda, Takeo Fujisawa.
Which company has a longer operating history — Haval or Honda Motor Co., Ltd.?
Honda Motor Co., Ltd. has been operating for approximately 78 years, making it the more established of the two companies. Haval has been in operation for around 13 years. A longer operating history often signals greater institutional resilience and brand recognition, though it can also mean slower adaptation to new market conditions.
Figures come from each company's filings and the sources linked beside them. Amounts reported in another currency are shown in US dollars at an approximate rate and marked with ~. Back to the Haval vs Honda overview