Honda PH celebrates 50th anniversary

Honda Philippines Inc. (HPI) recently celebrated its 50th anniversary of doing business in the country.

To kick off the celebration, the leading motorcycle company introduced to guests and stakeholders its first-ever female president Sayaka Arai (who also led the launch of the all-new XL750 Transalp, CL500, and Rebel1100 at the Makina Moto Show 2023).

“As we celebrate this milestone, we remain committed to realizing Honda’s global vision to serve people worldwide with the joy of expanding their life’s potential. This achievement is a testament to HPI’s goal of ensuring continuous response to customers’ ever-changing mobility needs,” Arai was quoted as saying.

 In a statement, HPI recalled how the brand entered the Philippine market.

It was in 1973 when Mariwasa-Honda was established. Back then, the company had an annual production of 4,700 units.

In 1976, the company started rolling out the TM110, followed by the underbone Honda C70 and on and off-road motorbikes XL125 models in 1977. Some two years later, HPI also released the TM125 and the TMS 110S in 1980.

Pioneering the four-stroke air-cooled engine technology in the country, HPI introduced the TMX155 locally in 1981.

Seeing the bigger potential, Honda Motor Corporation Limited took the majority stake in 1983 that led to HPI’s inception. Providing further drumroll to the HPI’s establishment that year is the unveiling of the XL125SR.

Following this, HPI brought new nameplates such as the C70DD Econopower in 1984, PF50 in 1989, C100 Dream in 1996, and the Wave110 in 2000.

In 2002, HPI released ANF125, NF100, and XRM Dual Sports, which helped the brand achieve the top position in the Philippine motorcycle industry

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The company reached its 30th anniversary in 2003 and launched the TMX125 and the limited-edition XRM110. This was followed by the Wave 125S, XRM110, and XR200 motorbikes the year after.

HPI then reached its one-millionth motorcycle production milestone in February 2005 and had the groundbreaking ceremony for its new Batangas facility. A year later, HPI moved there from Parañaque. In 2007, the XRM125 was introduced.

By 2008, the company immediately reached the two-million production milestone and released the XRM RS125 model. This was followed by Honda Beat and Wave Dash 110 in 2009 and the CB110 in 2010.

With no signs of slowing down, the company unveiled the CBR150R and Scoopy models and achieved an accumulated production of three million motorcycles in 2011. It then introduced the TMX Supremo motorcycle the following year.

On its 40th anniversary in 2013, the company had already achieved a total production of four million units, later growing to five million in 2016.

In 2018, the Honda Click125i and Click150i — dubbed the “The Game Changer” — were launched in 2018 that allowed HPI to hold the biggest share in the motorcycle automatic transmission segment.

Succeeding the scooters are the Genio, ADV150, and Supra GTR150 in 2019, which resulted in an overall production of six million units.

HPI then started producing the Honda Beat in 2020 and unveiled the new version of the motorcycle together with Airblade150.

In 2021, HPI launched the Honda X-ADV, TMX125 Alpha, XRM125, PCX160, Dio, CBR500R, and CB500X in the country. The following year, HPI had its accumulated production of seven million motorcycles.

Last year, the Honda Click160, CB150X, Airblade160, ADV160, and Click125 were released in the Philippine market.

This year, the company released the updated iteration of the Click125 —the second Honda scooter produced in the country.

 “HPI has reached these milestones with the help of everyone involved in the company and, more importantly, with the unwavering support of the Filipino public. It is an honor for us to provide Filipinos with mobility, comfort, and even more job opportunities through our motorcycles. Rest assured that we will aim to continue improving our customers’ daily lives by enabling them to experience Honda’s innovations found in our product and service that exceed their expectations,” Arai added.

Currently, HPI has a total capital of more than P4.279 million.

Photos from Honda Philippines Inc., Ruben Manahan IV

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