Honda ramps up motorcycle production in India with new line at Gujarat plant
Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India (HMSI) is significantly expanding its production footprint in the world’s largest motorcycle market with the announcement of a new production line at its fourth manufacturing plant in Vithalapur, Gujarat.
Scheduled to begin operations in 2027, the new line will add 650,000 units to the plant’s annual capacity, bringing it to 2.61m units – making it Honda’s largest motorcycle assembly plant globally.
The expansion is part of Honda’s broader strategy to scale operations in India, where demand for two-wheelers remains robust. The new investment, valued at approximately 9.2 billion rupees (around 16.1 billion Japanese yen), will focus on 125cc class motorcycles and is expected to generate 1,800 new jobs.
“This move underscores our long-term commitment to India,” said Tsutsumu Otani, President and CEO of HMSI. “Honda has long been investing and expanding its production capacity in India, the world’s largest motorcycle market… With the additional investment in our fourth plant, Honda will continue to deliver attractive products and services to its customers around the world who have higher expectations and trust in the company.”
The Vithalapur plant has been a central player in Honda’s Indian operations since its opening in February 2016. It started with an annual capacity of 600,000 units, which was doubled to 1.2m within months after the launch of a second line. The third line began operation in January 2024, increasing output to 1.96m units. The fourth line will now push capacity to over 2m units.
Currently, HMSI operates four manufacturing plants across India, with a combined annual capacity of 6.14m units. Once the new line and further expansions at other facilities are completed, total capacity is projected to rise to approximately 7m units by 2027.
In April 2025, HMSI also celebrated a major milestone – 70m units of cumulative production in India, since its launch in 2001.
Honda says strategic expansion in Gujarat reinforces its aim to meet growing demand, strengthen supply chains, and maintain its competitive edge in both domestic and export markets.
Honda reaches 500m motorcycle global milestone
Honda Motor Co. has reached a historic milestone with the cumulative global production of motorcycles surpassing 500m units, 76 years after it began mass production with the Dream D-Type in 1949. This achievement reflects Honda’s long-standing commitment to making mobility more accessible through technology and local production strategies.
From launching its first overseas motorcycle production in Belgium in 1963 to operating 37 production facilities across 23 countries today, Honda has expanded with the principle of “producing locally where there is demand.” Major milestones include reaching 100m units in 1997, 200m in 2008, and 400m by 2019.
In 2024, Honda launched a global expansion of its electric two-wheeler lineup, reinforcing its commitment to a diversified product range and carbon neutrality.
“Motorcycles are our founder’s business,” said President Toshihiro Mibe. “We’ll continue to expand the joy of mobility for customers around the world.”