Honda Motor Co., Ltd. today announced that cumulative worldwide production of Honda Super Cub series motorcycles has reached the 100 million unit milestone, and held a commemorative ceremony attended by President and CEO Takahiro Hachigo at its Kumamoto Factory, Japan, where the Super Cub is produced.
Mass production of the first-generation Super Cub C100 began in August 1958 at the Yamato Plant, north of Tokyo. Its instant sales success was due to a number of features: the durability and efficiency of its high-performance 50cc 4-stroke engine (as opposed to the 2-stroke engines that were mainstream at the time), its unique design based around a low-floor backbone frame, a centrifugal clutch requiring no hand lever for its operation, and the large protective leg shield.
While undergoing various advancements, the basic concept has remained unchanged since the introduction of the first generation Super Cub, with its unique style carried forward to current models. So iconic is the design that in 2014 the Super Cub became the first vehicle to obtain a three-dimensional trademark registration in Japan
Now, Honda produces Super Cub series motorcycles at 16 plants in 15 countries around the world. It is sold and enjoyed by customers in more than 160 countries.
Takahiro Hachigo, President & Representative Director, Chief Executive Officer of Honda Motor Co., Ltd. was present at the ceremony and commented:
“The Honda Super Cub, which was created in Japan, embodies Honda’s passion to serve people worldwide with the joy of expanding their life’s potential by pursuing uncompromising product development that puts customers first. As a result, 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 be at the forefront of the changing times and strive to offer products that go beyond the expectations of our customers.”
Key milestones of Honda Super Cub Series
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1958 |
Sales of Super Cub C100 began Air-cooled 4-stroke, single-cylinder 49cc OHV engine with 4.5 horse power |
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1959 |
Exports to the U.S. began |
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1961 |
Cumulative global production of the Super Cub series reached 1 million-unit milestone First overseas production (based on component parts sets) began in Taiwan |
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1964 |
Sales of Super Cub C65 (the first OHC engine) began |
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1966 |
Sales of Super Cub C50 (OHC engine) began |
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1967 |
Cumulative production of Super Cub series reached 5 million unit milestone |
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1974 |
Cumulative global production of Super Cub series reached 10 million unit milestone |
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1983 |
Sales of Super Cub 50 Super Custom began Fuel consumption of 180km/liter (30km/h constant-speed test value) achieved |
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1988 |
Sales of Press Cub began |
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1992 |
Cumulative global production of Super Cub series reached 20 million unit milestone |
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1997 |
Sales of Little Cub began |
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2005 |
Cumulative global production of Super Cub series reached 50 million unit milestone |
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2007 |
Honda’s PGM-FI electronically-controlled fuel injection system was installed on Super Cub 50, Press Cub 50 and Little Cub. |
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2008 |
Cumulative global production of Super Cub series reached 60 million unit milestone (April) 50th anniversary of Super Cub sales |
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2009 |
Sales of Super Cub 110 and Super Cub 110 Pro began |
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2013 |
Sales of Cross Cub began |
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2014 |
Shape of Super Cub becomes first vehicle to obtain three-dimensional trademark registration in Japan Honda’s cumulative global motorcycle production reaches 300 million unit milestone |
Honda Celebrates 100 Million Unit Global Production Milestone for Super Cub Series Motorcycles https://t.co/dV3ypVU8mz #ArriveAlive pic.twitter.com/VP7Tn2oGeO
— Arrive Alive (@_ArriveAlive) October 19, 2017
