Honda Celebrates 100 Million-Unit Global Production Milestone for Super Cub Series Motorcycles

October 19, 2017, Japan

Corporate

TOKYO, Japan, October 19, 2017 - Honda Motor Co., Ltd. today announced that cumulative worldwide production of Honda Super Cub series motorcycles*1 this month has reached the 100 million-unit milestone, and held a commemorative ceremony at its Kumamoto Factory, where Super Cub series motorcycles are produced in Japan. The ceremony was attended by Mr. Ikuo Kabashima, Governor of Kumamoto Prefecture, guests and representatives from local municipalities and suppliers, as well as Honda executives and associates, including President & CEO Takahiro Hachigo.

Mass-production of the first-generation Super Cub C100 began in August 1958 at the Yamato Plant (which later became the Wako Plant of Saitama Factory). In 1961, based on Honda’s longstanding commitment to “build products close to the customer,” Honda began production of Super Cub C100 in Taiwan using component parts sets from Japan. Now, Honda produces Super Cub series motorcycles at 16 plants in 15 countries around the world.

When the first-generation Super Cub C100 was first launched, the 2-stroke engine was the mainstream power plant for motorcycles. However, the Super Cub C100 was equipped with an innovative and high-performance 50cc 4-stroke engine which was highly economical and durable. Super Cub C100 also achieved creative and unique designs including the low-floor backbone frame which enhanced the ease of getting on and off, a centrifugal clutch system which required no clutch operations, and the installation of a large plastic leg shield which reduced the amount of dirt splatter and wind experienced by the rider. Moreover, in 2007, Honda began installing Programmed Fuel Injection System (PGM-FI*2) to Super Cub C100, which further enhanced the environmental performance of the model. While undergoing various advancements, the basic concept has remained unchanged since the introduction of the first-generation and its original style has been carried forward even to current models.

Honda Super Cub series has continued to evolve globally to accommodate the unique cultures and increasingly diversifying customer needs in each country, and it has become an enduring series now sold and enjoyed by customers in more than 160 countries*3 around the world. In 2018, Honda will celebrate the 60th anniversary of Super Cub series sales, and Honda will continue creating attractive products unique to Honda for the joy of its customers all around the world.

Comments by Takahiro Hachigo, President & Representative Director, Chief Executive Officer of Honda Motor Co., Ltd.:

“Honda Super Cub, which was created in Japan, fulfills the expectations of our customers and embodies Honda’s passion to serve people worldwide with the joy of expanding their life’s potential. As a result, the Super Cub series has long been enjoyed by customers all over the world and was able to reach the 100 million-unit milestone in worldwide cumulative production. Honda will continue to evolve in keeping with changes of the times and strive to offer products that go beyond the expectations of our customers.”

  • *1Honda motorcycles which fulfill certain conditions including, 49cc-125cc engine size, 4-stroke single cylinder engine, frame (low-floor backbone frame) and tire size lager than 14 inches, etc.
  • *2PGM-FI(Programmed Fuel Injection)is a registered trade name of Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
  • *3Honda internal research

Key milestones of Honda Super Cub Series

August
1958
Sales of Super Cub C100 began
(air-cooled 4-stroke, single-cylinder OHV engine, 49cc, 4.5 horse power)
Production site: Yamato Plant (later became Wako Plant of Saitama Factory)
1959 Exports to the U.S. began
1960 Production at Suzuka Factory began
1961 Cumulative global production of the Super Cub series reached 1 million-unit milestone
Production based on component parts sets began in Taiwan
(first production outside of Japan)
1964 Sales of Super Cub C65 (the first OHC engine) began
1966 Sales of Super Cub C50 (OHC engine) began
1974 Cumulative global production of Super Cub series reached 10 million-unit milestone
1983 Sales of Super Cub 50 Super Custom began
Fuel consumption of 180km/liter (30km/h constant-speed test value) achieved
1988 Sales of Press Cub began
1991 Production transferred to Kumamoto Factory
1992 Cumulative global production of Super Cub series reached 20 million-unit milestone
1997 Sales of Little Cub began
2005 Cumulative global production of Super Cub series reached 50 million-unit milestone
2007 An electronically-controlled fuel injection system, Honda’s PGM-FI, was installed on Super Cub 50, Press Cub 50 and Little Cub
2008 Cumulative global production of Super Cub series reached 60 million-unit milestone
The 50th anniversary of Super Cub sales
2009 Sales of Super Cub 110 and Super Cub 110 Pro began
2012 Super Cub 110 and Super Cub 50 underwent full model change
2013 Sales of Cross Cub began
2014 Shape of Super Cub became first vehicle to obtain three-dimensional trademark registration in Japan
Cumulative global motorcycle production of Honda reached 300 million-unit milestone
2017 Super Cub 50, Super Cub 110, Super Cub 50 Pro, Super Cub 110 Pro underwent model change