76 years of Honda.
This year, Honda’s cumulative global production of engine/motor-powered motorcycles has
reached 500 million units.
It all started in 1949 with the Dream D-Type.
“The purpose of technology is to make people’s lives easier.”
Honda 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. Honda delivers products and services to customers
worldwide through a network of more than 30,000 Honda dealers.
Honda began mass-production of motorcycles at its first overseas production facility
in Belgium in 1963.
Since then, Honda has expanded its production globally in accordance with its fundamental principle of “producing locally where there is demand.”
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, with cumulative global production reaching 400 million units in 2019.
The annual production of motorcycles temporarily declined due to COVID19 in 2020, but demand has steadily recovered worldwide to pre-pandemic levels.
Electric:
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.
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.”
HMSI and HM held a ceremony to celebrate this achievement at the 4th factory in
India on 22nd of May 2025.
Please watch for more information:
＊Honda Motor has uploaded the video on YouTube channel
(https://youtu.be/96OCJYH8t5c) and the Honda corporate website
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
1992 Honda begins motorcycle production in China
1995 Honda begins motorcycle production in India
1997
Honda begins motorcycle production in Vietnam
Honda reaches 100 million-unit milestone for cumulative global motorcycle
production (achieved in 48 years)
1998 Honda begins motorcycle production in Mexico
2004 Honda exceeds 10 million-unit annual motorcycle production for the first
Time
2006 Honda begins motorcycle production in Argentina
2007 Honda begins motorcycle production in Peru
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)
A few motorcycle racing legends that rode Honda.
Offroad.
