Motorcycles
Honda Rolls Out 9 Million Motorcycles in the Philippines
Honda Philippines, Inc. (HPI) has marked a new chapter in its history, celebrating the production of its 9 millionth motorcycle at its Batangas plant.
The ceremony was led by HPI President Takeshi Kobayashi together with company executives and special guest Akira Koimai, Executive Vice President of Asian Honda Motor Co., Ltd. Both leaders signed the symbolic 9-millionth unit — the XRM125 DS, a motorcycle known for its rugged versatility and enduring popularity since 2007.
Honda’s Growing Footprint
HPI, the country’s top motorcycle manufacturer, has been a fixture in Filipino mobility for more than five decades. Its products have become staples for daily commuting, solo riding, and leisure, offering a balance of reliability, comfort, and fuel efficiency.
Honda’s strong momentum continues. In July 2025, the company posted its highest monthly wholesale record at 97,600 units. Kobayashi said HPI is confident it will surpass 1 million units in sales and production this year, as demand for two-wheelers shows no signs of slowing down.
Milestones Through the Years
Since starting production in Parañaque in 1973, HPI has steadily grown alongside the Philippine motorcycle market:
- 2005 – First 1 million units produced
- 2008 – 2 million
- 2011 – 3 million
- 2016 – 5 million
- 2019 – 6 million
- 2022 – 7 million
- 2024 – 8 million
- 2025 – 9 million
The company also crossed 10 million units sold nationwide last year, further underscoring Filipinos’ strong loyalty to the brand.
Commitment to Mobility
Honda says the 9-million-unit milestone is not just a number but proof of its long-standing partnership with customers, business partners, and employees. Looking ahead, HPI is set on expanding production efficiency and capacity to meet rising demand, while staying true to its promise of offering environment-friendly, high-quality motorcycles.
For riders, the achievement reinforces Honda’s role in keeping Filipinos moving — from the city streets to the countryside’s toughest terrain.
Marc Marquez tightened his grip on the MotoGP world championship after a commanding ride in Hungary, where he claimed his seventh consecutive Sprint victory at Balaton Park.
The Spaniard, already on a six-race winning streak in Sunday grand prix events, made light work of the short-format contest. Starting from pole on his factory Ducati, Marquez broke clear early and crossed the line nearly three seconds ahead of the chasing pack.
VR46 Ducati’s Fabio Di Giannantonio settled for second place, while his teammate Franco Morbidelli completed the podium. Marquez now sits 152 points clear at the top of the standings, with younger brother Alex Marquez trailing in second after finishing eighth.
Italian rider Francesco Bagnaia endured another frustrating weekend, finishing only 13th and leaving Hungary without points. The two-time world champion had earlier struggled in qualifying, managing just the 15th-fastest time.
The race itself saw chaos unfold at the first corner. Yamaha’s Fabio Quartararo attempted a late-braking move on Marquez but collided with KTM rider Enea Bastianini. Quartararo went down immediately, while Bastianini managed to stay upright but later ran into Johann Zarco’s Honda, forcing both out of the race.
Stewards handed out swift penalties. Quartararo was given a long lap penalty for “causing a dangerous situation and contact.” Bastianini, who had been able to continue, received two long lap penalties, doubled because of a previous offense, for “irresponsible riding causing a crash.”
Despite the drama, Marquez remained untouchable. “I felt someone really close on the first corner, but from there I quickly found a fast rhythm,” he said. “I’m very happy with this victory.”
With both consistency and momentum on his side, Marquez heads into Sunday’s main event as the heavy favorite, as his title lead continues to grow.
Foodpanda Logistics has rolled out a year‑long “Ka‑panda Gasolinahan” deal with Caltex that gives partner riders a 10‑peso cut per liter at participating stations nationwide. The program is live in multiple cities and will expand to more locations soon to help riders cope with rising fuel costs and keep more of their earnings.
Rider Experience Lead Ron Sanders said the initiative began before the latest wave of price hikes and is part of broader efforts to support partner riders’ livelihoods. He added that foodpanda Logistics shoulders seven pesos of the 10‑peso discount per liter to further ease expenses.
The discount has launched across Albay, Bacolod, Batangas City, Benguet, Bulacan, Butuan, Cabanatuan, Cagayan de Oro, Calamba, Camarines Sur, Cebu, Davao, Dumaguete, General Santos, Iligan, Iloilo, Koronadal, Legazpi, Lipa, Ormoc, Palawan, Pampanga, Roxas City, San Fernando, Surigao, Tacloban, Tarlac, and Zamboanga. Cavite and Metro Manila are set to follow in the coming months.
To claim the discount, riders must secure a Caltex SavePlus card, link it to a Caltex Rewards account via the provided registration link, then present their Rider ID and card number when fueling. The discount can be applied to up to three liters per transaction.
Sanders said the registration process mirrors the platform’s streamlined onboarding to keep things simple. He noted that Foodpanda Logistics has offered similar fuel and partner perks as other brands since the pandemic era, when the rider sector experienced rapid growth.
Spielberg, Austria — Marc Marquez finally conquered the Red Bull Ring, storming to victory at the Austrian MotoGP on Sunday to extend his championship dominance.
The Spaniard, riding his Ducati, started fourth but timed his charge to perfection. He overtook pole-sitter Marco Bezzecchi on lap 20 and pulled clear to secure his first win at the circuit, marking his ninth victory of the season and sixth consecutive race win.
Rookie Fermin Aldeguer briefly threatened to spoil the script in the closing laps but ultimately settled for second — the best result of his young career. Bezzecchi held on for third place.
“It feels amazing to finally win here in Austria. The Ducati worked perfectly, and patience really paid off,” Marquez said after the race.
The triumph capped off a historic weekend. Marquez also bagged his 12th sprint win of the year on Saturday, and his Austrian success coincided with MotoGP’s 1000th race. At 32, he now sits 142 points clear of his brother Alex Marquez in the championship standings after 13 of 22 rounds, inching closer to a seventh world title — his first since 2019.
The race itself demanded composure. Marquez made a sharp start, clearing both Alex Marquez and teammate Francesco Bagnaia in the early laps before shadowing Bezzecchi in a cat-and-mouse duel. His decisive move came just eight laps from the finish. Aldeguer surged forward late but could not sustain the pace.
Alex Marquez, hindered by a long-lap penalty for a previous collision with Honda’s Joan Mir, slipped down the order and finished 10th. Defending champion Jorge Martin’s season went from bad to worse, crashing out on lap 15 after a string of injury-hit absences.
MotoGP heads next to Hungary, where Marc Marquez will look to continue his march toward another crown.
