Honda Reaches 500 Million-Unit Milestone in Cumulative Global Motorcycle Production

Honda Reaches 500 Million-Unit Milestone
in Cumulative Global Motorcycle Production

 

TOKYO, Japan, May 22, 2025 - Honda’s cumulative global production of engine/motor-powered motorcycles has reached 500 million units, 76 years after the company began mass production of motorcycles in 1949 with the Dream D-Type.

500 million unit cumulative global production logo1949 Dream D-Type (Honda’s first production motorcycle)

500 million unit cumulative global production logo                                                                                                      1949 Dream D-Type (Honda’s first production motorcycle)

Since its foundation in 1948, Honda has developed and offered products and services that meet the needs of customers in many countries and regions, based on its belief that “the purpose of technology is to make people’s lives easier.”
Honda began mass-production of motorcycles at its first overseas production facility in Belgium in 1963, and since then, has expanded its production globally in accordance with its fundamental principle of “producing locally where there is demand.” As a result, Honda achieved its 100 million-unit milestone in 1997, its 200 million-unit milestone in 2008, and its 300 million-unit milestone in 2014. In 2018, Honda’s annual production exceeded 20 million units for the first time in its history, and cumulative global production reached 400 million units in 2019. Although the annual production of motorcycles temporarily declined due to COVID-19 in 2020, demand has steadily recovered worldwide to pre-pandemic levels since then. In addition to internal combustion engine (ICE) models, Honda positioned year 2024 as its “first year of global expansion” for electric powered two-wheelers and has started launching new models, creating a wide and diverse product lineup.

Honda now offers a broad variety of models from commuters for everyday use to larger displacement models for weekend leisure as well as electric vehicles, with an annual production capacity of more than 20 million units in 23 countries and regions and 37 production entities. The company deliver products and services to customers worldwide through a network of more than 30,000 Honda dealers.

Honda will continue its efforts to further solidify its motorcycle business, by providing attractive products and services from diversified approach, realizing the “joy and freedom of mobility” for a wider range of customers, building a highly efficient business structure, and achieving carbon neutrality, including through electrification.

Toshihiro Mibe, Director, President and Representative Executive Officer, Honda Motor Co., Ltd.

“For Honda, motorcycle business is our founder’s business, and will continue to be the company’s core business. In the motorcycle business, we have built the trust of our customers through our many products and services, which has enabled us to achieve a cumulative production volume of 500 million units. I would like to thank our customers and all stakeholders who were involved in achieving this milestone, from development to production, sales, and service. Honda will continue to take on the challenge of expanding the joy of our customers around the world.”

Honda’s path to 500 million-unit global motorcycle production

1948

Honda Motor Co., Ltd. founded

1949

Honda releases its first major motorcycle model, the Dream D-Type

1958

Honda releases its first Super Cub, the Super Cub C100

1963

Honda begins motorcycle production in Belgium (first motorcycle factory outside of Japan)

1964

Honda begins motorcycle production in Pakistan

1967

Honda begins motorcycle production in Thailand

1968

Honda reaches 10 million-unit milestone for cumulative global motorcycle production

1969

Honda begins motorcycle production in Malaysia

1971

Honda begins motorcycle production in Indonesia

1973

Honda begins motorcycle production in Philippines

1976

Honda begins motorcycle production in Brazil

Honda begins motorcycle production in Italy

1979

Honda begins motorcycle production in North America

1980

Honda begins motorcycle production in Nigeria

1984

Honda reaches 50 million-unit milestone for cumulative global motorcycle production

1985

Honda begins motorcycle production in India

1988

Honda begins motorcycle production in Mexico

1992

Honda begins motorcycle production in China

1997

Honda begins motorcycle production in Vietnam

Honda reaches 100 million-unit milestone for cumulative global motorcycle production
(achieved in 48 years)

2004

Honda exceeds 10 million-unit annual motorcycle production for the first time

2006

Honda begins motorcycle production in Argentine

2007

Honda begins motorcycle production in Peru

2008

Honda reaches 200 million-unit milestone for cumulative global motorcycle production
(11 years since 100 millionth unit)

2013

Honda begins motorcycle production in Bangladesh

Honda begins motorcycle production in Kenya

2014

Honda reaches 300 million-unit milestone for cumulative global motorcycle production
(6 years since 200 millionth unit)

2018

Honda exceeds 20 million-unit annual motorcycle production for the first time

2019

Honda reaches 400 million-unit milestone for cumulative global motorcycle production
(5 years since 300 millionth unit)

2025

Honda reaches 500 million-unit milestone for cumulative global motorcycle production
(6 years since 400 millionth unit)

 

Outline of the Ceremony to Commemorate the 500 Million Units of Motorcycle Production

Dates:
Thursday, May 22, 2025, from 10:00 a.m. Indian local time

Venue:
Honda Motorcycle and Scooter India Private Limited (HMSI)
Fourth plant (Vitthalapur, Ahmedabad District, Gujarat)

Speakers:
Minoru Kato, Executive Officer, Chief Officer for Motorcycle and
Power Products Operations, Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
Masanori Shimazoe, Operating Executive, General Manager, Kumamoto Factory,
Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
Toshio Kuwahara, President and CEO, Asian Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
Tsutsumu Otani, President & CEO, HMSI