Honda, the renowned Japanese multinational conglomerate known for manufacturing automobiles, motorcycles, and various machines, has launched a new motorcycle model, the ACE 150. Specifically designed for rugged rural operations, this new model caters primarily to farmers and individuals in remote areas.
The ACE 150 was unveiled on Monday at the Honda factory located on Idiroko Road in Ota, Ogun State, in the presence of wholesalers and the public. During the launch, Honda’s Senior Sales Manager, Olabade Badejo, emphasized that the ACE 150 is not intended for commercial purposes like Okada riding. Instead, it was built for tough, rural applications, dispatch riders, and for those who need a sturdy vehicle to transport farm produce from remote areas to markets and towns.
“Our main target for the ACE 150 is not Okada riders, as they may not be able to afford this bike,” Badejo explained. “We have the 100cc and 110cc models specifically for Okada use. The ACE 150 was created for rural, rugged operations.”
Badejo also revealed that, aside from research and development, no parts of the new motorcycle were sourced locally, citing the lack of genuine support from the Nigerian government for local content in manufacturing.
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“The local contribution to this motorcycle is in its design and research, but all parts were sourced abroad because the government’s policy on local content in the motorcycle industry has been largely ineffective,” he said. He added that local sourcing would make the product more expensive and economically unfeasible under current conditions.
Honda’s Managing Director, Tetsuya Kawai, also highlighted that the ACE 150 was built with the Nigerian market in mind, focusing on durability, reliability, and performance. He affirmed that the launch reflects Honda’s ongoing commitment to providing high-quality products that meet the evolving needs of its customers.
“At Honda, we are dedicated to creating solutions that improve efficiency, make life easier, and, most importantly, ensure safety for our customers,” Kawai stated.
