Honda achieves 500 million-unit milestone in global motorcycle production
Honda has achieved a milestone of reaching 500 million units in cumulative global motorcycle production, 76 years after launching its first mass-produced motorcycle, the Dream D-Type, in 1949. This landmark underscores Honda's enduring legacy as one of the leaders in the motorcycle industry.According to the company, since its founding in 1948, Honda has adhered to its core philosophy that "the purpose of technology is to make people's lives easier." Starting with its first overseas production facility in Belgium in 1963, Honda embraced a strategy of "producing locally where there is demand." advertisementThis approach fueled rapid expansion, with the company hitting 100 million units in 1997, 200 million in 2008, 300 million in 2014, and 400 million in 2019. In 2018, Honda's annual production surpassed 20 million units for the first time, and despite a temporary dip due to COVID-19 in 2020, global demand has since rebounded to pre-pandemic levels.
Today, Honda operates 37 production entities across 23 countries with the capability to produce over 20 million units annually, delivering a diverse lineup of motorcycles—from daily commuters to high-displacement leisure models and electric two-wheelers through a network of over 30,000 dealers worldwide. In 2024, Honda announced its "first year of global expansion" for electric motorcycles, introducing new models to meet evolving customer needs.'For Honda, the motorcycle business is our founder's business and remains our core,' said Toshihiro Mibe, President and Representative Executive Officer of Honda Motor Co. "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."advertisementA commemorative ceremony is scheduled for May 22, 2025, at Honda Motorcycle and Scooter India's fourth plant in Vitthalapur, Ahmedabad, Gujarat. The event will feature remarks from Minoru Kato, Executive Officer and Chief Officer for Motorcycle and Power Products Operations; Masanori Shimazoe, General Manager of the Kumamoto Factory; Toshio Kuwahara, President and CEO of Asian Honda Motor Co and Tsutsumu Otani, President and CEO of HMSI.Subscribe to Auto Today MagazineTune In
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