The accumulated world production of Honda motorcycles has reached 500 million units (an unprecedented achievement in the world) 76 years after the company began serial production, in 1949, with the Dream D-Type.
Since its foundation in 1948, Honda has developed and supplied products and services that meet the needs of customers of many countries and regions, based on their conviction that “the purpose of technology is to facilitate the lives of people.”
500 million motorcycles sold and a clear objective
Honda began the serial production of motorcycles outside Japan in Belgium in 1963 and since then has expanded its production worldwide according to its fundamental principle of “Manufacture locally where there is demand”. As a result, Honda achieved the milestone of 100 million units in 1997, the 200 million units in 2008 and the 300 million units in 2014.
In 2018, Honda’s annual production exceeded 20 million units for the first time and the accumulated world production reached 400 million in 2019. Although the annual motorcycle production decreased temporarily by 2020, due to COVID-19, demand has been constantly recovered since then throughout the world at preparation levels.
Honda placed 2024 as its “first year of world expansion” for two electric propulsion vehicles, so, in addition to the models with internal combustion motor (ICE), it has begun to launch new EV models creating a wide and diverse range of products. The brand now offers a wide variety of models, from utilitarian for daily use to models of greater displacement, as well as electric vehicles, with an annual production capacity of more than 20 million units in 23 countries and 37 production centers.
The company supplies products and services to customers around the world through a network of More than 30,000 concessionaires. Honda will continue with his efforts to consolidate his motorcycle businesses supplying attractive products and services, with a multifaceted approach, making “the joy and freedom of mobility” reality for a wider variety of customers, building a highly efficient business structure and with the aim of achieving carbon neutrality, among others, also through electrification.
Toshihiro MibeDirector, President and Representative Executive Offer, Honda Motor Co., Ltd. has said: “For Honda, the motorcycle business is the” business of our founders “and will continue to be the main company. In the motorcycle business, we have gained the confidence of our customers thanks to our numerous products and services, which has allowed us to achieve an accumulated global production of 500 million units.”
Concludes: “I want to thank our clients and all the parties involved who have participated in the achievement of this milestone. From the development of production, sales and service, Honda will continue to assume the challenge of expanding the satisfaction of our customers worldwide.” This historical milestone of total production will be reached in India, with the active model, leaving the production chain of the plant 4 of Honda Motorcycle and Indian Indian (HMSI) Private Limited, in Vittalpur, Gujurat.
Historical route of the brand until reaching 500 million units sold
- 1948: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
- 1949: Launch of the first motorcycle model, the Dream D-Type
- 1958: launch of the first Super Cub model, the Super Cub C100
- 1959: Honda becomes the largest motorcycle manufacturer in the world
- 1963: The production of motorcycles in Belgium begins (first motorcycle factory outside of Japan)
- 1967: The production of motorcycles begins in Thailand
- 1968: The accumulated world production reaches 10 million units
- 1969: CB750 goes on sale
- 1971: The production of motorcycles begins in Indonesia
- 1971: Motorcycle production begins in Italy
- 1975: The Gl1000 Gold Wing goes on sale
- 1976: Motorcycle production begins in Brazil
- 1979: The production of motorcycles begins in the US.
- 1980: The production of motorcycles begins in Nigeria
- 1984: The accumulated world production reaches 50 million units
- 1986: The XRV650 Africa Twin is binds to the range
- 1992: Motorcycle production begins in China
- 1992: The CBR900RR Fireblade goes on sale
- 1997: Motorcycle production begins in Vietnam
- 1997: The accumulated world production reaches 100 million units (achieved in 48 years)
- 2001: Motorcycle production begins in India
- 2001: Hornet 600 becomes the first high displacement Honda produced outside Japan
- 2004: Annual production exceeds 10 million units for the first time
- 2005: Honda presents the world’s first airbag for a standard motorcycle at the GL1800 Gold Wing
- 2008: The accumulated world production reaches 200 million units (in 11 years, it goes from 100 to 200 million units)
- 2009: The VFR1200F is presented in the Tokyo Motor Show room (the world’s first DCT clutch motorcycle)
- 2013: Motorcycle production begins in Bangladesh
- 2014: The accumulated world production reaches 300 million units (from 200 million to 300 million in 6 years)
- 2014: The Honda Super Cub becomes the motorcycle with more units manufactured in history (87 million units sold in 160 countries)
- 2018: The accumulated annual production exceeds 20 million units for the first time
- 2019: The accumulated world production reaches 400 million units (from 300 million to 400 million in 5 years)
- 2022: The Honda path to electrification begins in Europe with the presentation of the EM1E Scooter: which uses the Mobile Power Pack E: (MPP) technology of Honda
- 2022: Fireblade celebrates its 25th anniversary
- 2023: Honda presents its Honda e-clutch technology
- 2024: Honda presents the concept version of its first Full Size electric vehicle, the Ev Fun model, and a new concept V3 engine with exclusive electric compressor
- 2025: The accumulated world production reaches 500 million units (from 400 million to 500 million in 6 years)
- 2025: The Gold Wing celebrates its 50th anniversary
Foundation of the World Motorcycle Production Centers Honda
- 1963, Belgium
- 1967, Thailand
- 1971, Indonesia
- 1976, Brazil
- 1976, Italy
- 1979, North America
- 1980, Nigeria
- 1986, Spain
- 1992, China
- 1997, Vietnam
- 2001, India
- 2007, Peru
- 2013, Bangladesh
- 2013, Kenya
