Honda has temporarily halted production and sales of a number of models in Japan, Big Red announced on its Japanese website. There are quite a few reasons that have led to the production shutdown, including COVID-19 and raw material shortages.
If you are in the market for a Rebel 500 or 1100, a Monkey or Grom, then you may have to wait a little longer than you would have expected.
In a press release on its own website, Honda indicates that it will have problems with deliveries from suppliers from the spring of 2021 due to several factors. The lockdowns as a result of the corona pandemic, the congestion of overseas transport and ports worldwide, the shortage of semi-conductors, and the delay in delivery of parts from suppliers.
This has created an uncertain situation regarding production and container freight from overseas. In addition, Honda says it has a problem with the 2020 exhaust regulations, which will be mandatory in Japan from November 2022. Reason for Honda to temporarily stop production of a number of models.
The models temporarily unavailable in Japan are the Rebel 1100, Rebel 500, Rebel 250, CRF250RALLY, CRF250L, Forza, ADV150, Grom, Monkey 125, CT125 and Hunter Cub.
Although strictly speaking the suspension of sales only applies to its own home market at the moment, it is not inconceivable that this will have to be extended to other continents in due course. The shortage of raw materials is a worldwide problem.
Source: Honda website
– Thanks for information from Motorfreaks.