Honda reached a significant milestone this week by hitting a cumulative global production of 500 million motorcycles. To celebrate the occasion, the company hosted a ceremony at the Honda Motorcycle and Scooter India Private Limited facility in India’s Ahmedabad District on May 22.

Honda’s first motorcycle produced was the Dream D-Type in 1949. Its 100-million-unit milestone was achieved in 1997, taking 48 years to reach. The next milestones came more quickly, with 200 million units produced by 2004, 300 million units in 2014, and 400 million in 2019. Throughout that time, the company has continued opening production in countries around the world. Its first overseas production facility opened in Belgium in 1963.

Honda began North American motorcycle production in 1979 at its plant in Marysville, Ohio, starting with the CR250R dirtbike. The company has since produced 30 motorcycle models in the U.S. and just over 1 million units, with the two most heavily produced models being the Shadow and Gold Wing platforms.

Today, the company has an annual production capacity of more than 20 million units in 23 countries and 37 production entities, delivering products through its network on more than 30,000 dealers.

“I would like to thank our customers and all stakeholders who were involved in achieving this milestone, from development to production, sales, and service,” said Toshihiro Mibe, Honda Motor Co., Ltd.’s president, CEO, and representative director. “Honda will continue to take on the challenge of expanding the joy of our customers around the world.”

Rider congratulates Honda on this incredible achievement and will continue to bring readers news and reviews about Honda motorcycles as well as many other brands. Check out our Honda page to find recent reviews of the Gold Wing 50th Anniversary Edition, the NT1100 DCT, the Transalp, the CB650R and CBR650R with E-Clutch, and many more.

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Source: RiderMagazine.com