Timeline

Timeline...

Timeline of the Honda motorcycle company.
1946-1986

1946 
- Honda Technical Research Institute established by Soichiro Honda in Hamamatsu, Japan.
- Internal combustion engines, machine tools & auxiliary engine for bicycle produced.
 
1947 
- Kiyoshi Kawashima, who becomes Honda’s supreme Advisor in 1983, joins the Company.
- Production of A-type engine (1-cylinder, 2-cycle, 50cc) started.
 
1948        
- Honda Technical Research Institute incorporated and renamed Honda Motor Co. Ltd.
- Company capitalised at ¥1 million.
- B-type 3-wheel utility motorcycle (1-cylinder, 2-cycle, 90cc) announced.
- A-type engine obtains 66% share of domestic market.
 
1949                   
- Production of lightweight C-type (1-cylinder, 2-cycle, 96cc) started. 
- Production of lightweight D-type motorcycle (1-cylinder, 2-cycle, 98cc) started, named ‘Dream’.  - Takeo Fujisawa, who became Honda’s Supreme Advisor in 1973, joins the Company. 
- Company capitalised at ¥2 million.
 
1950                    
- Tokyo branch founded.         
- Tokyo plant founded.          
- Motorcycle production begins at Tokyo plant.
 
1951                          
- Dream E-type model records average speed of 70kph (43.5mph). Honda's first 4-cycle product.
- Dream E-type model (1-cylinder, 4-cycle, 146cc) launched.
- Output of 130 units of Dream E-type per day establishes new record in Japanese production.
 
1952
- Company capitalised at ¥6 million (June).
- F-type Cub model (1-cylinder, 2-cycle, 50cc) launched and exported to Taiwan.
- Export of Dream model started to Okinawa and Philippines.
- Company capitalised at ¥15 million (November).
- F-type Cub production reaches 7,000 units/month.

1953
- Shirako plant opened in Saitama Prefecture.
- Yamato plant opened in Yamatomachi, Saitama Prefecture (May).
- Yamato plant expanded and renamed Saitama Factory (July).
- J-type Benly model (1-cylinder, 4-cycle, 90cc) launched.
- Dream 3E and Dream 6E models launched.
- Honda starts Power Equipment production with launch of H-type Engine for agricultural use. 
- Company capitalised at ¥60 million.
 
1954
- Trading of Honda Motor Co. stock starts on Tokyo Stock Exchange.
- K-type Juno scooter model (200cc) launched.
- Honda announces participation in Isle of Man TT Races.
- Aoi plant opened in Hamamatsu. 
- JA-type Benly model (4-cycle, 140cc) launched.
- President Soichiro Honda attends IOM TT Races and visits Europe manufacturers. 
- Juno scooter exported to USA.

1955
- JB-type Benly model (4-cycle, 125cc) launched.
- SB-type Dream model (4-cycle, 350cc) launched.
- SA-type Dream model (4-cycle, 250cc) launched.
- Honda takes the lead in annual domestic production.
- Honda Racing Team wins Manufacturers Championship in All-Japan Endurance.
- JC56-type Benly model (4-cycle, 125cc) launched.
 
1956
- Company capitalised at ¥120 million.
- Honda Service Division established and one-year warranty introduced.
- EJ model (4-cycle, 200cc) launched.
 
1957
- Company capitalised at ¥360 million.
- Honda R&D Centre opened in Shirako plant.
- Dream C70 model (2-cylinder, 4-cycle, 250cc) launched.

1958
- Honda Test Course opened near Arakawa River.
- Dream C71 model with Electric Start (4-cycle, 250cc) launched.
- Dream CS71 model (4-cycle, 250cc) launched.  
- Honda Motor Co. Head Office moves to 5-5, Yaesu, Chuo-Ku, Tokyo.
- Company capitalised at ¥720 million.
- C100 Super Cub (1-cylinder, 4-cycle, 50cc) launched.
 
1959
- Benly C92 (2-cylinder, 4-cycle, 125cc) launched.
- Company capitalised at ¥1.44 billion.
- Honda participates in IOM TT Races for the first time and takes 6th place in the 125cc Class as well as the Constructors Prize. 
- American Honda Motor Co., Inc. established.
 
1960
- Dream C72 (2-cylinder, 4-cycle, 250cc) launched.
- New Head Office building completed in Tokyo.
- Suzuki Factory starts operation at Suzuka City, Mie Prefecture.
- Super Cub C102 (1-cylinder, 4-cycle, 50cc) with Electric Start launched.
- Company capitalised at ¥4.32 billion.
- Research & development division re-launched as Honda R&D Co., Limited.
- Sports Cub C110 (1-cylinder, 4-cycle, 50cc) launched.
- Construction of new Saitama Factory completed.
- Dream CB72 (2-cylinder, 4-cycle, 250cc) launched.
- Juno M80 scooter (125cc) launched.
 
1961
- Motor Sports Land (now Hondaland) established.
- Company capitalised at ¥8.64 billion.
- European Honda Gmbh (now Honda Germany) established in Hamburg, West Germany.
- Honda wins IOM TT Races in 125cc and 250cc classes.
- Super Cub C105 (1-cylinder, 4-cycle, 55cc) launched.
- Sports Cub C115 (1-cylinder, 4-cycle, 55cc) launched.
- Z100 Monkey Bike (1-cylinder, 4-cycle, 50cc) launched.
- Honda wins 125cc and 250cc Manufacturer Championships in World Motorcycle Grand Prix.
- Dream CBM72 (2-cylinder, 4-cycle, 250cc) launched.
 
1962
- Honda racing team wins the 125cc and 250cc championships in IOM TT races.
- Juno M85 (4-cycle, 170cc) launched.
- Port-Cub C240 (1-cylinder, 4-cycle, 50cc) launched.
- N.V.Honda Motor S.A. (now Honda Benelux N.V.) est. to assemble and sell mopeds in Europe.
- Construction of Suzuki Circuit completed.
- Honda Koki Engineering Factory (now Honda Engineering Co., Ltd.) established.
- Honda wins 125cc, 250cc & 350cc Manufacturer Championships in World Motorcycle GP.
- Honda starts automobile production with launch of T360 Truck and S360 Sports Car.
- All Japan Motorcycle Championship Road race held at new Suzuka Circuit. 
- Honda wins the Championships in the 50cc, 125cc, 250cc and 350cc classes.
- Company capitalised at ¥9.09 billion.
 
1963
- Benly C200 (1-cylinder, 4-cycle, 90cc) launched.
- Honda wins 250cc and 350cc Class Championships at IOM TT Races.
- Dream CP77 (2-cylinder, 4-cycle, 300cc) launched.
- Honda wins 250cc and 350cc Manufacturer Championships in World Grand Prix.
 
1964
- Sayama Factory completed in Sayama City.
- Honda wins 125cc, 250cc and 350cc Class Championships at IOM TT Races.
- Benly CS90 (1-cylinder, 4-cycle, 90cc) launched.
- Asian Honda Motor Co., Ltd established in Thailand.
- Super Cub CM90 (1-cylinder, 4-cycle 90cc) launched.
- Super Cub C65 (1-cylinder, 4-cycle, 65cc) launched.
- Benly CS65 (1-cylinder, 4-cycle, 65cc) launched.
 
1965
- Dream CB450 (2-cylinder, 4-cycle, 450cc) launched. Became known as the 'Black Bomber'.
- Honda (U.K.) Ltd. established in Chiswick, West London.
- Benly CD90 (1-cylinder, 4-cycle, 90cc) launched.
 
1966
- Thai Honda Manufacturing Co., Ltd. established in Bangkok, Thailand. 
- Little Honda P25 (1-cylinder, 4-cycle, 50cc) launched.
- Benly CL90 (1-cylinder, 4-cycle, 90cc) launched.
- Super Cub C90 (1-cylinder, 4-cycle, 90cc) launched.
 
1967
- Benly SS50 (1-cylinder, 4-cycle, 50cc) launched.
- Benly CL50 (1-cylinder, 4-cycle, 50cc) launched.
- Z50 mini bike (1-cylinder, 4-cycle, 50cc) launched.
- Cumulative output of Super Cub exceeds 5 million units.
- Honda wins 250cc, 350cc and 500cc championship classes in IOM TT Races.
 
1968
- Cumulative motorcycle production exceeds 10 million units.
- Benly CD50 and CD65 (1-cylinder, 4-cycle, 50cc/65cc) launched.
- Dream CB250 and CB350 (2-cylinder, 4-cycle, 250cc/350cc) launched and exported.
- CL250 and CL350 (2-cylinder, 4-cycle, 250cc/350cc) launched and exported.
- Company capitalised at ¥18.18 billion.
- Dream CD250 (2-cylinder, 4-cycle, 250cc) launched.
- Honda agrees technical collaboration with motorcycle manufacturers in Mexico and Spain.
- CT50 (1-cylinder, 4-cycle, 50cc) launched.
- CB750 announced and displayed at Tokyo Motor Show.
 
1969
- Honda Australia Pty., Ltd. established in Melbourne, Australia.
- Canadian Honda Motor Ltd. (now Honda Canada Inc.) established in Toronto, Canada.
- Dream CB750 Four (4-cylinder, 4-cycle, 750cc) launched and exported.
- Little Honda PC50 (1-cylinder, 4-cycle, 50cc) launched.
- ST50 and ST70 (1-cylinder, 4-cycle, 50cc/70cc) launched.
 
1970
- Cumulative motorcycle production exceeds 14 million units.
- Honda Engineering Co., Ltd. established.
- Benly SL125S, CB125S & CD125S (4-cycle, 125cc) launched.
- Benly CB135 & CL135 (4-cycle, 135cc) launched.
 
1971
- New Super Cub C90 (1-cylinder, 4-cycle, 90cc) launched.
- Cumulative motorcycle production exceeds 15 million units.
- Dream CB500 Four (4-cylinder, 4-cycle, 500cc) launched.
- Benly CB50 (1-cylinder, 4-cycle, 50cc) launched.
- Honda Motor do Brazil Ltd. established in Sao Paulo, Brazil
 
1972
- Benly CB90JX (4-cycle, 90cc) launched.
- Dream SL250S (4-cycle, 250cc) launched.
- Dream CB350 Four (4-cylinder, 4-cycle, 350cc) launched.
- CF50 & CF70 (1-cylinder, 4-cycle, 50cc/70cc) launched.
- Elsinore CR250M Motocross (1-cylinder, 2-cycle, 250cc) launched.
- ST90 (1-cylinder, 4-cycle, 90cc) launched.
- Dream CB500 Four announced first 'Bike of the Year' by 'My Car Report' magazine. 
 
1973
- Elsinore MT125 & MT250 (1-cylinder, 2-cycle, 125cc/250cc) launched.
- Dream CB250T & CB360T (2-cylinder, 4-cycle, 250cc/360cc) launched.
- 25th Anniversary of Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
- President Soichiro Honda and Executive Vice President Takeo Fujisawa retire and become Supreme Advisors.
- Company capitalised at ¥19.48 billion.
- Motorcycle distributors from 37 countries travel to Japan for 'Silver Jubilee Holiday'.
 
1974
- Dream CB550 Four (4-cylinder, 4-cycle, 550cc) launched.
- Honda Suisse S.A. established in Geneva, Switzerland.
- Soichiro Honda receives an honorary Doctor of Engineering degree from Michigan Technological University, USA.
- Construction of Kumamoto Factory begins.
- Honda Engineering Co., Ltd. established.
- Head Office moved to Harajuka, Tokyo.
- Company capitalised at ¥24.35 billion.
- Gold Wing GL1000 (4-cylinder, 4-cycle, 1100cc) launched. 
- Dream CB500T (2-cylinder, 4-cycle, 500cc) launched.
- Dream CB400 Four (4-cylinder, 4-cycle, 400cc) launched.
 
1975
- TL250 (1-cylinder, 4-cycle, 250cc) trial bike launched.
- CB750F (4-cylinder, 4-cycle, 750cc) launched.
- XL125 and XL250 (1-cylinder, 4-cycle, 125cc/250cc) launched.
- Moto Honda da Amazonia Limitada established in Brazil.
 
1976
- Honda racing team enters the European Motorcycle Endurance Race Series.
- Honda International Technical School opened in Saitama Prefecture.
- Dream CJ250T and CJ360T (2-cylinder, 4-cycle, 250cc/360cc) launched.
- Honda wins Bol D'or 24 Hour race. The biggest endurance race in Europe.
- CB125T (2-cylinder, 4-cycle, 125cc) launched.
- Company capitalised at ¥25.5 billion.
 
1977
- Motorcycle production begins at Moto Honda da Amazonia Limitada in Manaus, Brazil.
- NC50L (1-cylinder, 2-cycle, 50cc) moped with quick starter system, launched.
- P. T Imora Honda established in Indonesia.
- I. A. P. Industriale S. P. A. (now Honda Italia Industriale S. P. A.) established in Italy.
- CB750A Hondamatic (4-cylinder, 4-cycle, 750cc) launched.
- Hawk-II CB400T (2-cylinder, 4-cycle, 400cc) launched.
- Construction of Tochigi Proving Grounds (Honda's own test circuit/facility) started.
- Hawk CB250T (2-cylinder, 4-cycle, 250cc) launched.
- Plans for motorcycle production plant in Ohio, USA announced.
- Elsinore CR250R (1-cylinder, 2-cycle, 250cc) motocross bike, launched.
- Honda Foundation established.
- GL500 (also known as CX500) (2-cylinder, V-twin, 4-cycle, 500cc) announced. Production started August 1978. 
 
1978
- Palfrey NC50 (1-cylinder, 2-cycle, 50cc) launched.
- Hawk CB400T (2-cylinder, 4-cycle, 400cc) launched.
- Benly CM125T (2-cylinder, 4-cycle, 125cc) launched.
- XL250S (1-cylinder, 4-cycle, 250cc) launched.
- GL400 (2-cylinder, V-twin, 4-cycle, 400cc) launched.
- Honda Europe N. V. established in Ghent, Belgium.
- Pal-holiday and Paladian (1-cylinder, 2-cycle, 50cc) launched.
- CB400N Super Dream (2-cylinder, 4-cycle, 400cc) launched.
- CBX (6-cylinder, 4-cycle, 1047cc) launched.
- Charlett (50cc) launched.
- Total production of motorcycles exceeds 30 million units.
- CB900F (4-cylinder, DOHC, 4-cycle, 900cc) launched.
- CB750K (4-cylinder, DOHC, 4-cycle, 750cc) launched.
 
1979
- CB650 (4-cylinder, SOHC, 4-cycle, 650cc) launched.
- Tochigi Proving Grounds (Honda's Test Course/Facility) completed.
- GL400/GL500 (CX500) Custom models (V-twin, 4-cycle, 400/500cc) launched.
- MB50 and MT50 (1-cylinder, 2-cycle, 50cc) launched.
- CB125T, CM125T and CD125T (2-cylinder, 4-cycle, 125cc) launched.
- Supreme Advisor Soichiro Honda receives an honorary Doctor of Literature degree from Ohio State University, USA.
- CB750F (4-cylinder, DOHC, 4-cycle, 750cc) launched.
- CD50 (1-cylinder, 4-cycle, 50cc) launched.
- Honda Manufacturing (Nigeria) Ltd. established.
- XL500S (1-cylinder, 4-cycle, 500cc) launched.
- CB250N Super Dream (2-cylinder, 4-cycle 250cc) launched.
- CM400T (2-cylinder, 4-cycle, 400cc) launched.
- NX50 (1-cylinder, 2-cycle, 50cc) launched.
- Honda of America Manufacturing Inc. starts motorcycle production.
- GL1100 Gold Wing (4-cylinder, 4-cycle, 1100cc) launched. Made in USA.
- CR80R, CR125R and CR250R Motocross models (1-cylinder, 2-cycle, 80/125/250cc) launched. 
- MB100 (1-cylinder, 2-cycle, 100cc) launched.

1980
- Honda begins motorcycle production in Nigeria.
- CB250RS and CM250T models launched.
- Honda wins 500cc Motocross World Championship for 2nd consecutive year.

1981
- Cumulative motorcycle production reaches 40-million units.
- New Super Cub C50, C70 & C90 models launched. 
- GL400 and GL500 models launched.
- All-new CX500TC Turbo model announced.
- NV50 Stream 3-wheel model announced.
- First V4, the VF750S model announced.

1982
- Honda wins Paris-Dakar Rally with XL500R.
- Honda of America produces its 100,000th motorcycle.
- New Super Cub C50 achieves 150km/litre economy.
- Honda Motor Co., Ltd., European Head Office established in Belgium.
- Technical collaboration agreement signed with Montesa Motorcycles of Spain.
- MBX50, MTX50, MTX125R & MTX200R models announced.
- CX500E Euro-Sport model announced.
- VT250F V-twin model announced.
- FT400 and FT500 single-cylinder models announced.
- CBX400F and CBX550F/F2 DOHC 4-cylinder models announced.
- VF400F and VF750F models announced.

1983
- Super Cub production reaches 15-million units.
- Honda wins 500cc Road Racing World Championship with 2-cycle NS500.
- XLV750R model announced.
- New CR80R, CR125R and CR250R motocross models announced.
- VF1000R and CBX750F models announced.
- GB250 Clubman, MTX50R, TLM50 and CBR400F models announced.
  
1984
- Honda reaches 50 million-unit milestone for cumulative global motorcycle production.
- Cumulative moped production by Honda Belgium reaches 1 million units.
- VF400F model announced.
- 'People' model announced. 
- NS250R and NS250F models announced.
- CH250 Spacy model announced.

1985
- Honda finishes 1st and 2nd in Suzuka 8-Hour Endurance Race.
- New Honda Motor Co., Ltd. Head Office opens in Tokyo.
- Honda wins both 250cc and 500cc GP World Championships.
- CBX250RS and TLM200R models announced.
- NS400R 3-cylinder 2-cycle model launched.
- New CR80R, CR125R and CR250R models launched.

1986
- Honda finishes 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 5th & 6th place in Paris-Dakar Rally.
- Construction of new motorcycle factory in Mexico started.
- All-new VFR750F and VFR400F V4 models launched.
- All-new 600V V2 Transalp model launched.
- All-new CBR250, CBR400F, CBR600F & CBR1000F in-line 4-cylinder models announced.
- New VFR750F wins many Motorcycle of the Year awards in various countries.
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