Honda has ended the 2019 year with a new milestone, with the Japanese manufacturer producing its 400,000,000th motorcycle capping off its 70th year producing bikes.
Honda was founded in 1948, with the mass production of motorcycles at its first factory outside of Japan beginning 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.
What makes the milesone impressive is it comes just 5-years after Honda built its 300 millionth bike. That's 100,000,000 more Honda's out in the wild in just five years, and to put that in perspective, it took Honda until 1997 to produce 100,000,000 bikes for the first time.
“For 70 years Honda has provided to customers worldwide motorcycles that make life easier and enjoyable, says Honda Motor Co CEO Takahiro Hachigo.
"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”
Honda’s Motorcycle Production Milestones
1968 – Honda reaches 10 million unit milestone
1984 – Honda reaches 50 million unit milestone
1997 – Honda reaches 100 million unit milestone
2004 – Honda exceed 10 million unit annual motorcycle production
2008 – Honda reaches 200 million unit milestone
2014 – Honda reaches 300 million unit milestone
2018 – Honda exceed 20 million unit annual motorcycle production
2019 – Honda reaches 400 million-unit milestone