Honda Reaches 400 Million-Unit Milestone in Cumulative Global Motorcycle Production

1949 Honda Dream D-Type
1949 Honda Dream D-Type. The Dream D-Type was Honda’s first motorcycle. Images courtesy Honda.

Beginning with the introduction of the Dream D-Type back in 1949, Honda has reached a milestone in cumulative global motorcycle production, marking 400 million units as part of its celebration of 70 years as a motorcycle manufacturer.

Read “Honda Celebrates 60 Years in America” here!

Honda was founded in 1948 and began mass-production of motorcycles at its first overseas production facility in Belgium in 1963. Since then, Honda has expanded its production globally in accordance with its fundamental principle of producing locally where there is demand. Honda currently produces a wide range of motorcycles, from 50cc commuters to 1,800cc models, at 35 facilities in 21 countries.

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Check out some of the other milestone’s on Honda’s path to today:

  • 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 (its first motorcycle factory outside of Japan)
  • 1967: Honda begins motorcycle production in Thailand
  • 1968: Honda reaches 10 million-unit milestone for cumulative global motorcycle production
  • 1971: Honda begins motorcycle production in Indonesia
  • 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
  • 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)
  • 2001: Honda begins motorcycle production in India
  • 2004: Honda exceeds 10 million-unit annual motorcycle production for the first time
  • 2008: Honda reaches 200 million-unit milestone for cumulative global motorcycle production (11 years since 100 millionth unit)
  • 2013: 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)

“For 70 years, Honda has provided to customers worldwide motorcycles that make life easier and enjoyable. As a result, we have achieved our 400 million-unit milestone. I am grateful to all of our customers, and everyone involved in development, manufacturing, sales and service of our products. We will continue to do our best to provide attractive products that meet the needs and dreams of our customers worldwide.” – Takahiro Hachigo, Chief Executive Officer, Honda Motor Co., Ltd.

2021 CBR1000RR-R
The 2021 CBR1000RR-R represents today’s height of Honda’s sportbike technology.

3 COMMENTS

  1. If I had 1dollar for every smile all the Honda’s I’ve ever owned gave me,I could retire comfortably! I’m getting a little older now,so I’m about to step down to a VTX1300. I came into this bike world on a QA50 and worked my way up. I will work my way back down as I age. If need be I’ll go out on a QA50,it’s seems they can still be found running! Thank you Honda ✌️👍

  2. Ditto for me as well. I started with a 68 CB 350 scrambler, a 74 CL360, then stepped up to the 76 CB750. Next the 78 Goldwing. I then stopped ridding about 1985 due to family and other interests. Then 13 years ago I got the bug again and bought a slightly used 94 Magna V4. I still have it and have put 52,000 miles on it all for fun. I also have a 2014 CTX1300A that I truly like. I’m a big fan of V4s don’t you know. Honda has provided me with excellent machines that perform and are almost maintenance free and extremely reliable. They also are great looking machines and very smooth. Thanks Honda for the memories.

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