Honda’s cumulative global production of powered motorcycles has reached 500 million units — a world-first* achievement — 76 years after the company began mass production of motorcycles in 1949 with the Dream D-Type.

Since its founding in 1948, Honda has developed and provided 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 40 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.

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 37 production entities. The company delivers products and services to customers worldwide through a network of more than 30,000 Honda dealers.

Toshihiro Mibe, Director, President and Representative Executive Officer, Honda Motor Co., Ltd.: “For Honda, motorcycle business is our ‘founder’s business’, and it 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.”

The milestone production total will be hit in India, with the Activa scooter, rolling off the production line at the Honda Motorcycle and Scooter India Private Limited (HMSI) Plant 4 in Vittalpur, Gujurat.

Honda historical time line

1948 Honda Motor Co., Ltd. founded

1949 First full-fledged motorcycle model, the Dream D-type, launched

1958 First Super Cub model, the Super Cub C100, launched

1959 Honda becomes world’s largest motorcycle manufacturer

1963 Motorcycle production begins in Belgium (first finished motorcycle plant outside Japan)

1967 Motorcycle production begins in Thailand

1968 Cumulative global production reaches 10 million units

1969 The CB750 goes on sale

1971 Motorcycle production begins in Indonesia

1971 Motorcycle production begins in Italy

1975 The GL1000 Gold Wing goes on sale

1976 Motorcycle production begins in Brazil

1979 Motorcycle production begins in the USA

1980 Motorcycle production begins in Nigeria

1984 Cumulative global production reaches 50 million units

1986 The XRV650 Africa Twin joins the range

1992 Begins motorcycle production in China

1992 The CBR900RR FireBlade goes on sale

1997 Begins motorcycle production in Vietnam

1997 Cumulative global production reaches 100 million units (achieved in 48 years)

2001 Begins motorcycle production in India

2001 Hornet 600 becomes the first large capacity Honda produced outside of Japan

2004 Annual production exceeds 10 million units for the first time

2005 Honda introduces the world’s first airbag application for production motorcycles on the GL1800 Gold Wing

2008 Cumulative global production reaches 200 million units (achieved in 2008 Cumulative global production reaches 200 million units (achieved in 11 years from 100 million units)

2009 The VFR1200F is unveiled at the Tokyo Motor Show – the world’s first dual clutch motorcycle

2013 Start of motorcycle production in Bangladesh

2014 Cumulative global production reaches 300 million units (achieved in 6 years from 200 million units)

2014 The Honda Super Cub becomes the most produced motorcycle in history (87 million units sold in 160 countries

2018 Cumulative annual production exceeds 20 million units for the first time

2019 Cumulative global production reaches 400 million units (achieved in 5 years from 300 million units)

2022 Honda’s electrification journey begins in Europe, with the introduction of the EM1e: scooter that utilises Honda’s Mobile Power Pack e: (MPP) technology

2022 Fireblade celebrates its 25th Anniversary

2023 Honda introduces its Honda E-Clutch technology

2024 Honda introduces concept version of its first full sized EV FUN model and new V3 concept engine with unique electrical compressor

2025 Cumulative global production reaches 500 million units 2025 Cumulative global production reaches 500 million units (within six years from 400 million units)

2025 The Gold Wing celebrates its 50th Anniversary

Founding of Honda’s Global Motorcycle production sites:

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

* Honda Research