Honda celebrates manufacturing 300 million motorcycles

This week Honda announced a huge manufacturing milestone for its motorcycle division, which was established more than 65 years ago: it produced its 300-millionth motorcycle.

The 300-millionth motorcycle to roll off the Honda production line was a Gold Wing, manufactured at the company’s Kumamoto Factory in Japan. The Gold Wing brand also celebrates its 40th birthday in 2015.

Honda started mass-producing motorcycles in Japan in 1949 with the 98cc Dream Type-D. Today the manufacturing giant makes motorcycles, ATVs and side-by-sides at 32 plants across 22 countries.

In 1958, Honda introduced the Honda 50, known globally as the Super Cub, which would go on to revolutionize the industry. This iconic bike paved the way for Honda’s expansion into the U.S. in 1959 and Canada in 1969. The Super Cub has sold in the region of 90 million units globally since its inception.

In the 1960s, Honda established its first U.S. production facility - the Marysville Motorcycle Plant - which produced both motorcycles and all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) until 2009. Production of ATVs has since shifted to Honda of South Carolina.

Since the start of production in 1979, Honda has manufactured more than five million power sports products in North America using global and domestically sourced parts. Today, Honda operates 17 major manufacturing facilities in North America, producing a wide range of Honda and Acura automobiles, automobile engines and transmissions, Honda all-terrain vehicles and side-by-sides, power equipment products and the HondaJet light jet.