Honda Reaches 300-Millionth Manufactured Motorcycle Milestone
[caption id="attachment_34964" align="alignright"
width="300"] Honda Model D - "Dream"
Moped[/caption]
Honda has been a proud and widely praised motorcycle manufacturer
for decades and the company just achieved one of the biggest
milestones at its assembly line in Kumamoto, Japan. According to
Auto Week, the freshly made 2015 Honda Gold Wing
that was just assembled in the factory made it the 300-millionth
motorcycle ever produced by the company.
The massive touring motorcycle has been a staple for years, so it's
only fitting to have it as the milestone bike for Honda. The
Japanese motorcycle company has been the largest bike manufacturer
for several decades and has made motorcycles since the 1940s, the
source reported.
The first purpose-built motorcycle released by Honda was the Model
D, which was issued in 1949. The bike had a pressed-steel frame
with a peanut tank and a two-stroke 98cc engine. According to the
source, the Cub F clip-on motorcycle power unit built in 1952 truly
helped Japan mobilize, which in turn increased Honda's bottom line.
However, the Super Cub moped, which was released in 1958, was the
bike that made Honda the motorcycle champion for its innovative
design.
The Cub Series sold more than 87 million
scooters, which makes it by far the most popular selling
motorcycle of all time
Coming A Long Way In Motorcycle Manufacturing
[caption id="attachment_34963" align="alignright"
width="300"] 2015 Honda Gold
Wing Airbag[/caption]
Honda has turned into one of the largest producers of
off-road vehicles and ATVs as well, Bikeland reported. Bob
Gurga, vice president and manager of the motorcycle division for
America said the success of the company certainly is due in part to
the popularity of Honda in the U.S.
"This incredible milestone is the result of the millions of
customers who have placed their trust in Honda and we would like to
thank all of our customers, associates, dealers and community
partners in North America for helping make it possible," said
Gurga, according to Bikeland. "Now, we are focused on the future
and the ways that we can harness the challenging spirit of Honda
associates to create new joy for Honda customers."
Honda's first motorcycle plant in the U.S. was built in Marysville,
Ohio, which was constructed in 1979. The facility manufactured
Honda motorcycles and
ATVs until 2009 when the company shifted operations to
Timmonsville, South Carolina.
Now, Honda has 17 major manufacturing facilities in North America
that produce both Honda and Acura automobiles and the latest
motorcycles.