Honda halts sales of 10 models in Japan over delivery and emissions hurdles

Honda has announced it is temporarily suspending customer orders for ten of its motorcycles to ease the pressure on waiting lists, which have mounted due to the ongoing shortage of parts using semi-conducting materials.

The Japanese firm issued a statement confirming that - as of August 1st - it will not take orders for the Rebel 1100, Rebel 500, Rebel 250, CRF250RALLY, CRF250L, Forza, ADV150, Grom, Monkey 125, CT125 and Hunter Cub.

Honda says a number of factors have contributed to the decision to pause the sale of certain models, chief among them the wait to receive parts using semiconductor materials, an issue that has had widespread implications for the automotive industry over the last 18 months. It has also scaled back due to implications of the looming Reiwa regulations, Japan's version of the Euro5 emissions targets.

Prompted by the sudden global ramp-up in productivity as nations returned to some normality in the wake of the COVID-19 lockdowns, suppliers involved in the production and distribution of these materials - which had scaled down during COVID-19 - have been unable to keep up with the influx of demand since the middle of 2021.

With the issues passing down the line to the customer, waiting times for the delivery of a new motorcycle are now several months with some manufacturers warning an order placed now means you may need to wait until 2023 to receive it.

With no clear end in sight for the supply issues and coupled with subsequent bottlenecks in shipping marinas, as well as the lingering impact of COVID in Japan especially, Honda has chosen to take a step that goes beyond simply suspending production. 

Honda says it will communicate in due course when the aforementioned models will be made available to purchase once more.

From a UK perspective, a Honda spokesperson confirmed there is no impact on the availability for the models available here - the Rebel 1100, Rebel 500, CRF250Rally, Forza, Grom and Monkey 125 - and the issues relate to Honda Japan.

“Regarding Honda motorcycle products, from the autumn of 2021 until now, due to multiple factors such as lockdowns due to the new coronavirus infection overseas, congestion in marine transportation and harbours worldwide, and semiconductor supply shortages, product and parts arrivals have been delayed,” reads Honda’s statement.

“As logistics delays are continuing and protracted, and the outlook for production and shipments from overseas remains uncertain.

“In addition, due to the application of the 2nd year of Reiwa exhaust gas regulations to motorcycles for the Japanese domestic market from November 2022, orders for current models may reach the production plan for some models. , we will temporarily stop taking orders.

“We would like to express our sincere gratitude for your orders and consideration of our products. We apologise.

“Regarding the resumption of orders for the target products, we will inform you again from this site and Honda motorcycle authorised dealers.

“We will continue to do our best to deliver products to our customers as soon as possible, so we appreciate your understanding.”