Zero to 400,000,000 in 70 years. Japanese automaker Honda has today announced a new production milestone of 400 million unit in cumulative global motorcycle production.

Since the launch of the Dream D-Type in 1949, the global automobile giant’s 70th anniversary of motorcycle mass-production also marked this key milestone worldwide. While it took the company 48 years to reach the first 100 million-unit milestone in 1997, it moved onto the next milestone of 200 million units in 11 years in 2008. Interestingly, it reached the 400 million mark just 5 years after riding past the 300 million milestone in 2014.

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. It currently produces a wide range of motorcycles, from 50cc commuters to 1,800cc models, at 35 facilities in 21 countries.

In 2018, Honda exceeded an annual production of 20 million units for the first time in its history. The company, which is seeing decent growth, particularly in Asia, says it is working towards realising its 2030 vision. It started its India operations in 2001 and currently this is one of the biggest markets accounting for over 28% of the global motocycle production for the company.

Commenting on the production milestone, Takahiro Hachigo, CEO, Honda Motor Co said, “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.”

Honda’s path to 400 million-unit global motorcycle production
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 total 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)