Honda vs LKQ: Founders, CEOs and History
Honda was founded in 1948 by Soichiro Honda, Takeo Fujisawa and is led by Toshihiro Mibe. LKQ was founded in 1998 by Donald Flynn and is led by Justin L. Jude.
Company facts
Founders
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.
LKQ
Donald Flynn
LKQ possesses arguably the most pragmatic, aggressive roll-up founding story in modern American industrial history, orchestrated entirely by a waste management pioneer who recognized a lucrative opportunity in a stigmatized industry.
CEOs and their tenures
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
LKQ
- Donald Flynn1998–present
Founder & Chairman
Set the roll-up strategy that turned independent salvage yards into a national recycled-parts network.
Source - Joseph Holsten1998–2012
CEO
Expanded LKQ from recycled parts into aftermarket collision parts and international distribution.
Source - Robert Wagman2012–2017
CEO
Serving as CEO from 2011 to 2017, he transformed LKQ from a primarily North American salvage operator into a massive global behemoth in alternative collision and mechanical parts.
Source - Dominick Zarcone2017–2024
CEO
Shifted LKQ toward integration, margin improvement and capital returns.
Source - Justin L. Jude2024–present
President & CEO
Leading LKQ through flat demand, the German ERP disruption and a review that could end in a sale.
Source
Timeline: Honda and LKQ 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.
1998LKQ
LKQ Founded with First Three Acquisitions
Donald Flynn founded LKQ Corporation in February 1998 through the combination of wholesale recycled products businesses in Florida, Michigan, Ohio, and Wisconsin.
1999LKQ
Ford Enters Recycled Parts Business as GreenLeaf
Ford Motor Company entered the recycled parts business as 'GreenLeaf,' validating the market opportunity but also creating competition. LKQ responded by accelerating its acquisition strategy, reaching 35 acquisitions by year-end.
2000Honda
ASIMO Unveiled
Honda unveiled the ASIMO humanoid robot in 2000.
2003LKQ
Initial Public Offering on NASDAQ
LKQ went public on the Nasdaq in October 2003, raising capital to keep acquiring salvage and distribution businesses.
2004LKQ
Entry into Aftermarket Parts and Self-Service Retail
LKQ entered the aftermarket parts business with the acquisition of Action Crash Parts, enabling the launch of aftermarket programs in new markets. The company also entered the self-service retail business in Florida and Central America.
2006LKQ
Entry into Wheel Restoration with Transwheel Acquisition
LKQ acquired Transwheel/Transmetco, gaining the ability to restore aluminum wheels to like-new condition. Transmetco also operated a furnace that melted excess wheels into ingots and sows sold back to OEM wheel manufacturers.
2007LKQ
Acquisition of Keystone Automotive Industries
LKQ acquired Keystone Automotive Industries, then the largest North American distributor of aftermarket collision parts. The deal gave LKQ national scale in aftermarket bumpers, lights and body panels alongside its recycled parts.
2008LKQ
Entry into Heavy-Duty Truck Recycling
LKQ entered the heavy-duty truck recycling business with the acquisition of Texas Best Diesel, which supplied fuel pumps, used transmissions, and engine parts. Many additional locations followed in subsequent years.
2009LKQ
Acquisition of GreenLeaf Auto Recyclers
In October 2009, LKQ acquired its largest recycled parts competitor, GreenLeaf Auto Recyclers, adding 17 auto salvage operations. This was the second-largest acquisition LKQ had completed through 2009, significantly consolidating the recycled parts market.
2010LKQ
Entry into Engine Remanufacturing with PROFormance
LKQ acquired PROFormance, an engine rebuilder in Springfield, Missouri, entering the remanufacturing space. This acquisition facilitated geographic expansion and provided entry into the engine remanufacturing industry.
2011LKQ
Entry into UK and Europe with Euro Car Parts Acquisition
LKQ entered the UK market with the acquisition of Euro Car Parts, the largest aftermarket hard-parts distributor in Britain, with nearly 90 branches and a national distribution center.
2013LKQ
European Expansion with Sator Beheer Acquisition
LKQ acquired Sator Beheer (now Fource), a vehicle mechanical aftermarket parts distributor based in the Netherlands with operations in the Netherlands, Belgium, and France. This acquisition expanded LKQ's geographic presence into continental Europe.
2014LKQ
Entry into Specialty Aftermarket with Keystone Automotive Operations
LKQ entered the specialty aftermarket equipment and accessories business with the acquisition of Keystone Automotive Operations, the leading distributor and marketer of specialty automotive equipment and accessories in North America.
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.
2016LKQ
European Expansion with Rhiag and Entry into Automotive Glass with PGW
LKQ acquired Rhiag-Inter Auto Parts Italia, a leading pan-European B2B distributor of aftermarket spare parts, expanding into Italy, Czech Republic, Switzerland, Hungary, Romania, Ukraine, Bulgaria, Slovakia, Poland, and Spain.
2017LKQ
Dominick Zarcone Becomes CEO
Dominick Zarcone, CFO since 2015, became President and CEO in 2017, succeeding Robert Wagman.
2018LKQ
Acquisition of Stahlgruber and Launch of 1 LKQ Europe Program
LKQ acquired Stahlgruber GmbH, a wholesale distributor of aftermarket spare parts with operations in Germany, Austria, Italy, Slovenia, Croatia, and Switzerland, for approximately $1.8 billion.
2019LKQ
Entry into Vehicle Services with Elite Electronics
LKQ acquired Elite Electronics, specializing in automotive diagnostic and repair services. This acquisition launched LKQ North America into the vehicle services market, converging parts distribution with diagnostic and repair services.
2021Honda
Toshihiro Mibe Becomes CEO
Mibe becomes CEO as Honda increases focus on electrification, software, and new mobility.
2021LKQ
Creation of Elitek Vehicle Services
LKQ created Elitek to provide mobile, on-site vehicle services to automotive collision repairers, mechanical repairers, and national fleets, expanding beyond replacement parts into automotive diagnostic and repair services.
2022LKQ
Sale of Pittsburgh Glass Works (PGW)
LKQ sold Pittsburgh Glass Works (PGW), the automotive glass manufacturer acquired in 2016, as part of a portfolio simplification strategy. The sale removed a non-core manufacturing asset and allowed LKQ to focus on distribution.
2024LKQ
CEO Transition: Justin Jude Succeeds Dominick Zarcone
Dominick Zarcone retired as President and CEO on June 30, 2024, after nine years in the role.
2025LKQ
FY2025 Revenue and Strategic Review
LKQ reported $13.651 billion in FY2025 revenue, $993 million in operating income, $607 million in net income attributable to stockholders, and about 44,000 employees; after selling its Self Service segment, the board began a strategic alternatives review in Ja…
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.
2026LKQ
Strategic Review and German ERP Disruption
In January 2026 the board launched a review of strategic alternatives including a sale of the company.
Acquisitions
Honda
- Astemo, Ltd.2026Undisclosed
- Keihin Corporation2020Undisclosed
- Showa Corporation2020Undisclosed
- Nissin Kogyo Co., Ltd.2020Undisclosed
- Montesa1986Undisclosed
LKQ
- Stahlgruber GmbH2018$1.8B
- Rhiag-Inter Auto Parts Italia2016Undisclosed
- Pittsburgh Glass Works (PGW)2016Undisclosed
- Sator Beheer B.V. (Fource)2013Undisclosed
- Euro Car Parts Holdings Limited2011Undisclosed
- Keystone Automotive Industries2007Undisclosed
Questions about Honda vs LKQ
Who is the CEO of Honda Motor Co., Ltd. and LKQ Corporation?
Honda Motor Co., Ltd. is led by Toshihiro Mibe and LKQ Corporation is led by Justin L. Jude. Both serve as the top executive responsible for the company's strategy, operations, and financial performance.
When was Honda Motor Co., Ltd. founded vs LKQ Corporation?
Honda Motor Co., Ltd. was founded in 1948 — 50 years before LKQ Corporation, which was founded in 1998. Honda Motor Co., Ltd.'s longer operating history gives it a deeper track record but also potentially more institutional inertia compared to the younger LKQ Corporation.
How many employees does Honda Motor Co., Ltd. have compared to LKQ Corporation?
Honda Motor Co., Ltd. employs approximately 195,109 people, while LKQ Corporation employs approximately 44,000. Honda Motor Co., Ltd. has the larger workforce at 195,109 employees, compared to LKQ Corporation's 44,000. A higher headcount does not necessarily imply greater efficiency — it often reflects differences in business model (e.g., manufacturing vs. software).
Where are Honda Motor Co., Ltd. and LKQ Corporation headquartered?
Honda Motor Co., Ltd. is headquartered in Japan and LKQ Corporation is headquartered in United States. Their different home markets mean they may face different regulatory frameworks, tax regimes, and currency exposure.
Who founded Honda Motor Co., Ltd. and LKQ Corporation?
Honda Motor Co., Ltd. was founded by Soichiro Honda, Takeo Fujisawa. LKQ Corporation was founded by Donald Flynn.
Which company has a longer operating history — Honda Motor Co., Ltd. or LKQ Corporation?
Honda Motor Co., Ltd. has been operating for approximately 78 years, making it the more established of the two companies. LKQ Corporation has been in operation for around 28 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 Honda vs LKQ overview