500 million Honda motorcycles produced in 76 years
In a historic benchmark, Honda’s cumulative global production of engine and motor powered motorcycles has reached 500 million units, 76 years after the company began mass production in 1949 with the Dream D-Type, following the 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 has expanded 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 production temporarily declined due to COVID-19 in 2020, demand steadily recovered worldwide to pre-pandemic levels since.
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.
Chris Schultz
General Manager, Powersports and Products at Honda Australia
“We are delighted to support this global milestone that no other motorcycle brand in the world has achieved. Honda has a huge history in Australia that has generated a large following of loyal Honda owners. We are proud to be a part of this incredible story.”
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.
An annual production capacity of more than 20 million units is spread across 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, with a diversified approach, realising the ‘joy and freedom of mobility’ goal for a wider range of customers, through efficient business structure and 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 motorcycles
- 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 Kenya
- Honda begins motorcycle production in Bangladesh
- 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)
