100 millionth Super Cub built
PASSION TO SERVE: HOW SMALL HONDA MOTORCYCLE BECAME A MASS SUCCESS SINCE 1958
Little bike produced at 16 plants and enjoyed by customers in more than 160 countries.
Honda last week 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 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.”