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 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.
“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.”
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 |
|
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 |
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 |
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 |
2025 |
Honda reaches 500 million-unit milestone for cumulative global 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