Honda makes a million

Honda Philippines is celebrating making its one millionth motorcycle – 200,000 of the total were made in the last year.

Now the firm, which started in 1973 – is relocating to a new plant to build even more.

The new plant will be capable of making 500,000 bikes a year – and that’s just for starters. Expansion plans include an option to make 1 million bikes in the factory every year.

Construction begins next month (March 05) and will be complete for 2006.

Demand for bikes in the Philippines is growing rapidly. 475,000 were sold in 2004 – up 53% on 2003. It’s expected to be up to 600,000 this year.