Honda hits 150-million mark

Mass production of motorcycles began in 1949 with the "Dream Type D" model.

Honda began overseas production of motorcycles in Belgium in 1963, and has since begun local production in countries around the world based on Honda's philosophy of "producing products close to the customer."

The motorcycle business is where Honda started out as a company and it has served to pioneer the way for Honda's automobile operations in markets around the globe. Honda now builds motorcycles at 28 locations in 21 countries around the world.

In addition, Honda has established R&D centres in the US, Germany, Italy, Thailand, China, and India, to develop motorcycles that meet local needs.

In 2004 Honda's annual worldwide motorcycle sales exceeded the 10 million-unit mark for the first time, totalling 10.8-million units.

In working toward a sales goal of 12.5-million units for 2005, a 16% increase from last year, Honda will continue striving to provide products that meet the increasingly diverse needs of its customers.