The Honda electric dream is not a new model, but the company’s goal to be #1 in electric bikes in the coming years according to an announcement by Global CEO Toshihiro Mibe.
This is the Honda electric dream, according to Honda Motor Co., Ltd. Director, President and Representative Executive Officer (Global CEO) Toshihiro Mibe, who held a press briefing in Tokyo, Japan, on May 20, 2025 on Honda initiatives centering on automobile electrification.
A key point made in the press briefing was that Honda would up its electric game when it comes to motorcycles with the opening of a dedicated electric motorcycle production plant in India in 2028, and a goal to become the biggest player in the electric motorcycle market.
Following is a summary of Mibe’s formal remarks in regards to Honda’s initiatives in its motorcycle business:
“For the fiscal year ended March 31, 2025, Honda motorcycle unit sales reached 20.57 million units, which account for approximately 40% of the global motorcycle market, setting an all-time record for fiscal year sales in 37 countries and territories. Moreover, demand for motorcycles is expected to grow further, particularly in the Global South, which includes India, the world’s largest motorcycle market, where population is increasing and people’s income is increasing. Industry-wide sales is expected to grow from the current level of 50 million units to the level of 60 million units by around 2030.
“In order to capture this growing demand, Honda will offer attractive products tailored to the diverse needs of global customers and also optimise its product supply system.
“Furthermore, in order to maintain its position as an industry leader in environmental initiatives, Honda will accelerate electrification of its motorcycle products, while also improving the fuel economy of its ICE models and expanding the lineup of flex-fuel compatible models.
“As for electric motorcycle models, in February of this year, Honda began sales of Active e: and QC1, which were announced in India last year. Moreover, sales of CUV e: and ICON e:, global electric commuter models began first in Indonesia, then in Vietnam, Thailand and the Philippines. The CUV e: is also scheduled to go on sale in Europe and Japan this year. Going forward, Honda will modularise models developed exclusively as electric models and begin production at a highly efficient, dedicated electric motorcycle production plant which will become operational in India in 2028, which will enable further strengthening of the electric motorcycle business structure. Through these initiatives, Honda will offer more affordable electric motorcycle models to more customers, and further down the road, Honda will strive to capture the No. 1 market share in the electric motorcycle market, as well.
“In this way, by continuously launching attractive products and building an efficient supply system for both ICE and electric models, Honda will effectively capture growing demand for motorcycles. As a result, in the long term, Honda motorcycle business, including both ICE and electric models, will establish a solid profit base with a global market share of 50% and ROS of more than 15% as of FY2031 (fiscal year ending March 31, 2031).”
