Technology-wise, Honda tends to get most of the credit. Even if they did not pioneer VVT, many people think they're the ones who invented it. So what if they're misinformed? Hondas are selling very well. Simply adding '3' to VTEC made some junk Civic do nicely in the sales department. Sounds like a winner? Definitely. But is it? Hell no, but who cares if many buy it?

Technology is appreciated on how well it's marketed and not who invented it or how well the it is employed in a car. Some don't even believe the current Sentra really has VTC. Instead, they're thinking that Nissan is just stretching the truth because there's already VTEC and VVTi. Sure, Nissan used variable valve timing ahead of Honda and maybe Toyota, but is that what matters now? The real winners are those that only followed suit, but did better in things that counted most, namely, proven branding and excellent marketing.

Now who made the most power out of a 1.6-liter engine without turbos or supercharging? It's not the B16 like everyone thinks, but the Nissan SR16VE. That's 200 hp vs. only 185 (Type R B16B) for the Honda. But who really won? Honda. Why? It's power that can be appreciated. Nissan only made a few hundred Pulsar hatches with that engine, while B16s are appreciated everywhere. Sure the Nissan is a rarity, but it's no vintage classic. It will also not see itself boasting the shortest quarter-mile times in an all-motor 1.6, because it's cocooned in Japan with only a selected 'lucky' few to witness its prowess.