Honda’s reached yet another massive milestone, with word this week that the company has built 400 million motorcycles over its history.
Founded in 1948, Honda’s been selling motorcycles since 1949, opening its first overseas plant in Belgium in 1963. Today, it has 35 overseas production facilities in 25 countries, including North America, South America, Africa, Asia and Europe.
In 2018, Honda hit the 20-million-per-year mark for motorcycle production; it sold its first 100 million motorcycles by 1997, and 300 million bikes by 2014. Find more details in Honda’s official presser below:
Press release
HONDA IS CELEBRATING THE PRODUCTION OF 400 MILLION MOTORCYCLES
Seventy years after the first Dream D-Type rolled out of the factory in 1949, Honda are today celebrating their 70th anniversary of motorcycle production having produced 400 million units world-wide.
Honda was founded in 1948. Motorcycle mass production at its first factory outside of Japan began in Belgium in 1963. Since then, Honda has expanded its global production in accordance with its fundamental principle of making motorcycles locally to supply demand, with 35 production facilities in 25 countries across Europe, Asia, Africa and the Americas.
Honda currently produces a wide range of exciting and dynamic motorcycles and scooters for the global market from funky 50cc commuters like the Dunk, to cutting edge off-road bikes like the CRF450R, to icons like the GL1800 Gold Wing, the new CRF1100L Africa Twin and the new 160Kw CBR1000RR-R Fireblade.
Since its foundation, Honda has continued to develop and produce products that meet the many and varied needs of its global audience based on the belief that ‘the purpose of technology is to help people’. This principle led Honda to achieving the 100 million-unit milestone in 1997, the 300 million- unit milestone in 2014, and today, the 400 million-unit milestone.
2018 saw Honda exceed annual global production of 20 million-units for the first time in its history and it continues to enjoy strong support from customers old and new across the globe.
Hondas continues to strive towards its 2030 vision to serve its worldwide audience with the ‘joy of expanding their life’s potential.”
Takahiro Hachigo, Chief Executive Officer, Honda Motor Co., Ltd
“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 customers worldwide”
So which is it, CMG Staff? Which of your numbers in this article are incorrect? All of them? Some of them? A semi-interested lack of readers want to know.
That should be 400,000,000.
Uh, Paul, you said 400 million.
I see not much has changed since I was last here.
What’s your point, that’s what the actual Honda press release says?
Oh don’t be coy Al, we all know you never went far.
Well Zac, typically, your comment makes no sense. Suggestion: Before you you folks mindlessly post up press releases you might want to 1) read it 2) check with the originator for veracity, and 3) write a headline which accurately reflects what is in the release. As of today, its still wrong.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SX-qP76Kclk