Honda has long built nearly all of its own automobile transmissions, unlike many other manufacturers which often source transmissions from other makers.
Honda's automatic transmissions are unusual in that they do not use planetary gears like nearly all other makers. Instead, the Hondamatic and its successors use traditional, individual gears on parallel axes like a manual transmission, with each gear ratio engaged by a separate hydraulic clutch pack. This design is also noteworthy because it preserves engine braking by eliminating a sprag between first and second gears
Honda was forced to invent their new system due to the vast array of patents on automatic transmission technology held by BorgWarner and others.
Honda initially chose to integrate the transmission and engine block for its first application (in the N360) as in the Mini. The Hondamatic incorporated a lockup function, which Honda called a third ratio, and had manual gear selection. The company's early transmissions also used a patented torque converter which used stator force rather than hydraulic controls for shifting.
The company's naming scheme is also confusing, as it is specific to a single model of vehicle and some identifiers are reused.
A2K5-1986-89 Honda Accord 5 Speed A2Q6-1987-89 Honda Prelude 5 Speed