2026 marks fifty years since Honda first looked at the U.S. lawn‑mower market. The story shows how a Japanese firm turned a cheap, crowded segment into a lasting brand through clever sales and engineering.

Honda engineers began researching the American lawn‑mower market in 1976 and, two years later, introduced the walk‑behind HR21. The HR21 was exported to the United States and featured what Honda describes as the world’s first blade‑brake clutch system, which stops the blade when the control lever is released while the engine keeps running.

Rather than using traditional retailers, Honda sold its early mowers through its network of motorcycle dealers. John Stevens, Honda’s vice president for power sports & products business & sales, said customers trusted Honda’s quality from motorcycles and were willing to pay a little more for a mower.

After the initial export success, Honda moved production to the United States. Hitoshi Abe, chief engineer at Honda’s Japanese headquarters, explained that this followed the company’s long‑standing “manufacture where you sell” philosophy.

The HRX series, launched in 2004, was led by Dean Hartley, senior chief engineer, who added the Versamow system that lets users switch between mulching and bagging. John Stevens notes that the HRX became one of the first Honda mowers sold in big‑box retailers, expanding its reach.

Continuing its innovation, Honda released an all‑electric walk‑behind mower line in 2025 and, in 2026, introduced the ProZision Autonomous riding mower equipped with LiDAR 360‑degree sensing. John Stevens says the shift reflects growing demand for battery‑powered equipment and stricter environmental rules.