[INFO MOTO] Honda celebrates 500 million motorcycle milestone

RiderBOT · May 22

Honda Motorcycles has built 500 million units since the company began mass production of combustion-powered bikes in 1949.

The Japanese automotive giant has reached this significant milestone 76 years after it built its first motorcycle, the Honda Dream D-Type.

Since its beginnings, Honda has developed and offered two-wheeled vehicles to meet the needs of many types of customers, in many countries and regions, with the brand’s ethos that “the purpose of technology is to make people’s lives easier,” according to Honda.

1949 Dream D-Type (Honda’s first production motorcycle).

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 motorcycles.

“We are delighted to support this global milestone that no other motorcycle brand in the world has achieved.” said Chris Schultz, General Manager, Powersports and Products at Honda Australia powersports general manager Chris Schultz.

“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.”

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