Since its foundation in 1948, Honda has developed and offered 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 400 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.

In addition to internal combustion engine (ICE) models, Honda positioned year 2024 as its “first year of global expansion” for electric powered two-wheelers creating a wide and diverse product lineup.

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 regions and 37 production entities. The company deliver 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, said, “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.”

Here are some milestones to Honda’s 500-millionth-unit global motorcycle production:

• 1948 – Honda Motor Co., Ltd. founded
• 1949 – Releases its first major motorcycle model, the Dream D-Type
• 1958 – Releases its first Super Cub, the Super Cub C100
• 1963 – Production starts in Belgium, its first motorcycle factory outside of Japan
• 1964 – Production begins in Pakistan
• 1967 – Production starts in Thailand
• 1968 – Honda reaches 10-million-unit milestone for cumulative global motorcycle production
• 1969 – Production begins in Malaysia
• 1971 – Production starts in Indonesia
• 1973 – Production begins in the Philippines
• 1976 – Produiction starts in Brazil and Italy
• 1979 – Production begins in North America
• 1980 – Production starts in Nigeria
• 1984 – Honda reaches 50-million-unit milestone for cumulative global motorcycle production
• 1985 – Production begins in India
• 1988 – Production starts in Mexico
• 1992 – Production begins in China
• 1997 – Production starts in Vietnam
• 1997 – Honda reaches 100-million-unit milestone for cumulative global motorcycle production
• 2004 – Exceeds 10-million-unit annual motorcycle production for the first time
• 2006 – Production begins in Argentina
• 2007 – Production starts in Peru
• 2008 – Honda reaches 200-million-unit milestone for cumulative global motorcycle production
• 2013 – Production begins in Bangladesh and Kenya
• 2014 – Honda reaches 300-million-unit milestone for cumulative global motorcycle production
• 2018 – Exceeds 20-million-unit annual motorcycle production for the first time
• 2019 – Honda reaches 400-million-unit milestone for cumulative global motorcycle production
• 2025 – Honda reaches 500-million-unit milestone for cumulative global motorcycle production