The other problem that the company faced is that at the time the law stated that it was impossible to reduce the size of the company, so we make an agreement with Honda and Honda give us work and we produce Honda's within the Esplugues factory. The first production consisted of 1500 mbx road bikes for Honda and we also produced the gears for this bike. This was the very starting point of the relationship and the start of production and work with Honda.
How did the initial introduction happened between your two companies, did Honda telephone Montesa or was it the other way round ?
I don't remember exactly, but I do remember that the Export manager, Mr Modesto Sole travelled to Japan to meet with all of the factories, Suzuki, Yamaha and Honda. This was a starting point, but as you know, all Japanese factories were interested in starting production in Spain.
How did the initial introduction happened between your two companies, did Honda telephone Montesa or was it the other way round ?
I don't remember exactly, but I do remember that the Export manager, Mr Modesto Sole travelled to Japan to meet with all of the factories, Suzuki, Yamaha and Honda. This was a starting point, but as you know, all Japanese factories were interested in starting production in Spain.
Yamaha took Sanglas, Suzuki took Puch, so we agreed with Honda. I remember the arguments with one of the Japanese negotiators at that time because we had contact with other factories and he said Honda is number one in the world and Montesa is a number one in Spain so we need to make an agreement to get both together.
Did the negotiations go very well with Honda and very smoothly ?
Yes yes yes, they were very friendly and they were very transparent.
Did the negotiations go very well with Honda and very smoothly ?
Yes yes yes, they were very friendly and they were very transparent.
Looking back at the situation, now that Honda have done a great deal with the company, Montesa, just the trial and where you were making 30 different products they are only making one, do you think Honda initially has greater plans and things have changed ?
I think that the reality is that the market was driving the decisions. At the beginning, we were producing many many models, Cota, Enduro bikes and more, but as the market changed, the public grow a love for the Japanese bikes as they were technologically more advanced than the Spanish bikes, so these models disappeared and all that was left was trial.
I think that the reality is that the market was driving the decisions. At the beginning, we were producing many many models, Cota, Enduro bikes and more, but as the market changed, the public grow a love for the Japanese bikes as they were technologically more advanced than the Spanish bikes, so these models disappeared and all that was left was trial.
If you worked for Montesa back in the 1960s and 1970s, was it a good company to work for ?
I know sometimes we had a canteen, but I don't remember all of the specifics. I do remember that everybody was very proud to work for Montesa. I have these memories. Even during difficult times when Montesa was experiencing difficulties, the workers had unions to look at Montesa from their position but this situation did not help them until the end when the union sorted out a way to save jobs and to improve the situation was to link up with Honda.Then the unions assisted.
I know sometimes we had a canteen, but I don't remember all of the specifics. I do remember that everybody was very proud to work for Montesa. I have these memories. Even during difficult times when Montesa was experiencing difficulties, the workers had unions to look at Montesa from their position but this situation did not help them until the end when the union sorted out a way to save jobs and to improve the situation was to link up with Honda.Then the unions assisted.