Operating for some 51 years now, Honda Philippines, Inc. (HPI) marks a momentous milestone with the rollout of its 8 millionth motorcycle unit. As the leading motorcycle manufacturer in the country, Honda's 8-million-unit production milestone serves as proof of its continued commitment to providing high quality, reliable and environment friendly motorcycles that have become a cornerstone of Filipino transportation.
The 8-millionth unit is a Honda Click 125, featuring a special livery to commemorate the vehicle. It was produced in HPI's 20-hectare plant in Batangas that continues to manufacture motorcycles in a safe, efficient, economical, and environmentally friendly manner.
HPI traces its roots back to 1964 when Mariwasa-Distribution, Inc. was established, eventually leading to the formation of Mariwasa-Honda Inc. in 1973, and later to Honda Philippines, Inc, in 1983. Throughout that time, Honda has been producing motorcycles that served as pillars of Filipino mobility.
Out of the 8-million units produced, Cub motorcycles account for 49 precent (3,921,083 units). These include the eponymous Cub, Super Cub, and its successors like the Dream, Wave, and other semi-automatic mopeds.
Business motorcycles, like the TMX, make up 34 percent (2,694,170 units), catering to the needs of businesses and entrepreneurs. It’s frequently fitted with a sidecar to further increase its utility.
Sports motorcycles, like the CRF and CBR, represent three percent (222,747 units), appealing to adventure-seeking Filipino riders.
The AT (automatic) motorcycle, like the Click 125, is the current top seller of the market, and contributes 15 percent (1,162,000 units) of the 8-million total.
Honda first reached 1-million units in 2005, and has continued to hit million after million since. This most recent one, comes on the heels of HPI’s 50th anniversary of motorcycle production in 2023.
Despite recent challenges like the Covid-19 pandemic impact, HPI has remained resilient and capitalized on opportunities for growth, particularly with the increasing demand for commuter motorcycles among Filipinos. To this day, Honda still remains the number one motorcycle manufacturer in the country in terms of market share.