Honda’s V3 electric supercharger “Electronically controlled supercharging in all ranges. It’s a great product” | Honda holds motorcycle business briefing

Honda’s motorcycle sales volume will achieve a global market share of approximately 40% in fiscal year 2024

On December 23, 2024, Honda and Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as “Nissan”) officially announced that they would enter into discussions regarding a business integration. They aim to reach a final agreement by June 2025 and establish a holding company in August 2026.

Honda will effectively take the lead in this merger, including selecting the president and majority of the directors of the new company. Mitsubishi Motors, of which Nissan is the largest shareholder, also signed a memorandum of understanding on the same day to consider joining the merger.

Honda and Nissan have released several models with the aim of becoming global leaders in electric vehicles (EVs), but they are struggling due to the rapid growth of American companies such as Tesla (CEO Elon Musk, a supporter and close friend of US President Donald Trump) and Chinese manufacturers.

It is no exaggeration to say that this case, in which two major domestic manufacturers, Honda and Nissan, have teamed up, is a battle that they cannot afford to lose, as they are betting on their survival in the EV market. Don’t give up, Honda, Nissan, and Mitsubishi!

Honda is lagging behind Nissan, Mitsubishi, and other manufacturers in the four-wheel business, but what about its two-wheel business?

Compared to the 1980s, when motorcycles and scooters were booming, the number of motorcycles shipped in Japan, if we limit it to mopeds (under 50cc), has now fallen to one-tenth of what it was in the 1980s. While many people look back fondly on the booming domestic market at that time, when new models were released at a dizzying pace, thinking, “Those were the good old days…”, there are also many who wonder, “Are domestic motorcycle manufacturers doing okay these days?”

Looking at it on a global level, Honda’s current motorcycle business can be said to be “fairly successful” (although there are rumors within Honda that they should separate their struggling automobile business from their thriving motorcycle business).

Honda’s motorcycle business currently operates worldwide. It offers a wide lineup of products, from convenient commuter models for everyday use, to large models for weekend leisure, to electric motorcycles, which are the subject of fierce sales competition. With 37 production facilities in 23 countries and regions, Honda has an annual production capacity of over 20 million units. Honda supplies its products through more than 30,000 dealerships. Since its founding, Honda’s cumulative production volume will soon reach 500 million units.

Looking at the global market, Honda’s motorcycle sales volume in fiscal year 2024 is expected to be 20.2 million units, accounting for approximately 40% of the global market share (according to Honda). Of this, motorcycle sales in Asia, including India, Indonesia, Thailand, and Vietnam, account for 85% of the total (17.17 million units). Japan, Europe, and the United States each account for 6% (1.2 million units). Motorcycle sales in the 2024 calendar year reached record highs in 37 countries and regions.

Accelerating efforts to achieve a 50% global market share

Currently, India is the world’s largest motorcycle market. “How can we increase our market share in India?” is also a major issue. Honda is targeting further growth in India, as well as ASEAN countries such as Indonesia and the Philippines. It is also targeting regions known as the “Global South,” including Brazil and other Latin American countries, against the backdrop of rising populations and incomes.

Accordingly, the overall motorcycle market is expected to grow from the current level of 50 million units to 60 million units, including electric vehicles, by 2030. In order to respond reliably to this market growth and expanding demand, we will continue to introduce more competitive products, as well as respond to carbon neutrality, including the electrification of motorcycles. Furthermore, we will further solidify our motorcycle business and accelerate our efforts to achieve a 50% global market share in the long term, including electric motorcycles.

He also mentioned the world’s first electric supercharged V3 engine vehicle, saying, “Electronically controlled supercharging delivers powerful performance across the entire range.”

Honda exhibited a new large concept model currently under development at EICMA 2024, the world’s largest motorcycle show, held in Milan, Italy from November 5th to 10th, 2024. The vehicle is equipped with a water-cooled, four-stroke, 75-degree V-type, three-cylinder DOHC engine (two in-line cylinders at the front and a single cylinder at the rear) that pursues a slim and compact design.

The biggest feature is that it uses an “electric supercharger,” the world’s first for a motorcycle (according to Honda). By controlling the supercharger at will regardless of engine speed, it achieves a highly responsive torque design even at low speeds. In a motorcycle where space is limited, the design does not require an intercooler to cool the supercharger, which also contributes to mass centralization and weight reduction.

Mr. Kato, who appeared at this briefing, prefaced his remarks by saying, “I’ll get in trouble if I say too much, but…” before commenting, “I rode it in Kumamoto two weeks ago.”

“It’s a great product. A lightweight and compact engine and body. Also, thanks to the electronically controlled electric supercharging, it’s very powerful across the entire range. We’re still in the testing phase, but we’re continuing to develop it ‘seriously’ towards our goal. Please look forward to it,” he said. However, he declined to comment on the specific engine displacement or specifications of the car.

Honda unveils unprecedented V3 engine with electric supercharger at EICMA 2024

A V3 that doesn’t compromise rider comfort Honda Motor Co., Ltd. will be unveiling its newly developed V3 engine for the first time in the world at EICMA (commonly known as the Milan Show) in Milan, Italy. The new V3 engine is currently being developed for large motorcycles. It’s a slim, compact, V3 DOHC engine with a 75-degree bank angle, consisting of an in-line twin-cylinder engine at the front and a single-cylinder engine at the rear, for a total of three cylinders. Another notable feature of this engine is its electric supercharger, which eliminates the need for an intercooler. Once released, this will mark the arrival of a new generation supercharged model, following on from the Kawasaki Ninja H2 series. Why isn’t this so commonplace?

https://motor-fan.jp/bikes/article/123824

Check out the video of the motorcycle briefing!