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Southeast Asia × MARKET: 32 articles

Honda CB750 Hornet, 755cc and 90.5hp, Yet Still a Mystery No-Show in the Philippines
Honda's CB750 Hornet, a 755cc parallel-twin making 67.5kW (90.5hp) and 75Nm, remains sold globally but has still not launched officially in the Philippines as of August 2026. Locally, Honda already covers the price range from the CB500 to CB1000 Hornet, and competition from the Yamaha MT-07 and Suzuki GSX-8S is seen as a barrier to bringing it in, RobiMoto reports.
RobiMoto PH · 8/5/2026

Alva CEO: Indonesia's EV Motorcycle Market Turns a Corner After 2025 'Transition Year'
Purbaja Pantja, CEO of Indonesian electric motorcycle brand Alva, called 2025 a transition year for the EV bike market after government purchase subsidies ended in September 2024, causing buyers to hold back. Demand began recovering in the second half of 2025, and Pantja said the company is more optimistic heading into 2026.
GridOto · 8/3/2026

ALVA Says It Still Doesn't Know What Counts as a 'National' EV in Indonesia
Indonesian electric-motorcycle maker ALVA says it can't tell whether its bikes will qualify for the government's planned incentives for 'national' electric motorcycles, because officials haven't defined the criteria yet. CEO Purbaja Pantja said ALVA already clears the required 50%+ local-content (TKDN) threshold, but with no official definition of 'national' status, he can't say more. Industry Minister Agus Gumiwang Kartasasmita has said the incentives, under the 'Molinas' program, will be built around locally categorized national cars and motorcycles.
Otorider · 8/3/2026

Can-Am's Pulse Electric Naked Sells Out at GIIAS 2026 After Big Discount
Can-Am made its Indonesian debut at GIIAS 2026, and its Pulse electric naked bike sold out before the show even ended. The show-only price cut Rp150 million off the regular Rp425 million tag, bringing it to Rp275 million, according to Sea-Doo Can-Am Indonesia marketing head Cynthia Ratna. With the Pulse gone, the booth now shows the three-wheeled Can-Am Canyon adventure model instead.
Otorider · 8/3/2026

Triumph Launches Three Models at GIIAS 2026 and Prices Its New 400s
Triumph Motorcycles Indonesia unveiled the Thruxton 400, Tracker 400 and Speed Twin 1200 at GIIAS 2026. Local prices are Rp186 million, Rp182 million and Rp825 million respectively, while Indonesia receives three of the 800 Speed Twin 1200 units built worldwide.
Otorider · 7/30/2026

Indonesia Redesigns Electric Two-Wheeler Incentives Around National Vehicles
Indonesia plans to continue EV incentives in 2026 while limiting eligibility to four- and two-wheelers covered by its national-vehicle program. The proposed scheme would replace direct buyer discounts with support for selected companies, but vehicle criteria, recipients and timing have not yet been announced.
Otorider · 7/30/2026

Honda Vietnam Recalls 6,426 Motorcycles Over Steering, Fuel, and Engine Risks
Honda Vietnam is recalling 6,426 Rebel 300 and 500, CL500, and CB1000 Hornet motorcycles. Potential defects include a steering-lock bolt coming loose, a detached fuel hose, and incorrectly fitted pistons that could raise the risk of a crash, fire, or rear-wheel lock. Repairs began for 748 units on July 27, with the remaining 5,678 due from late August.
Tuoi Tre News · 7/30/2026
Thailand's Motorcycle Market Tops 600,000 Units in H1, Honda Holds 81% Share
Thailand's motorcycle market reached 603,026 units year-to-date through April 2026, a marginal increase of 1.3%. Honda holds a dominant 81% market share, while runner-up Yamaha grew sales by 12.4% within the remaining segment. The electric two-wheeler segment declined 3.2% and remains a marginal part of the market. Smaller Chinese entrant Zontes ranked fourth among brands with sales up 39.8%, albeit from a small base.
MotorCyclesData · 7/27/2026

18 New Motorcycle Shelters to Be Built on Malaysian Highways
The Malaysian Highway Authority (LLM) plans to build 18 new motorcycle shelters along major highways nationwide this year. In a country of frequent tropical downpours, the shelters give riders a safe place to wait out heavy rain and reduce accident risk, a practical safety measure fitting a nation where two wheels are a primary mode of transport.
Paul Tan · 7/27/2026

Helmet Brand LS2 Grows 58% in Malaysia, Distributed by Mforce and Present in 125 Countries
Sales of two-wheeler gear brand LS2 in Malaysia grew 58% between July 2025 and June 2026. LS2 began making helmets in China in 1990, established its Barcelona headquarters in 2007 to become a global brand, and now operates in 125 countries. In Malaysia, Mforce Bike Holdings handles official distribution, with the products carried through the Mforce dealer network.
BikesRepublic · 7/27/2026
Vietnam's Electric Motorcycle Market Heats Up as Makers Expand Scooters
Vietnam's electric motorcycle market is heating up as manufacturers simultaneously expand their scooter lineups, intensifying competition, per Laodong, a sign of an accelerating EV shift in the two-wheeler powerhouse.
Laodong · 7/27/2026
Indonesia to Launch a National Electric Motorcycle, Says President Prabowo
Indonesian President Prabowo has said the country will launch a national electric motorcycle. As one of the world's largest two-wheeler nations moves on state-led electrification, it's a bellwether for the region.
ANTARA News · 7/27/2026

Vietnam Motorcycle Sales Keep Growing Even as Electric Mobility Policy Push Continues
The Vietnam Association of Motorcycle Manufacturers (VAMM) reported combined Q2 2026 sales of its five member companies at 638,431 units, up 4.4% year-on-year, showing continued resilience in the conventional motorcycle market even as Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City push policies favoring electric two-wheelers.
iMotorbike News · 7/27/2026

Indonesia's AHM: Mechanics Will Stay Popular Even in the Electrification Era
AHM, Honda's general distributor in Indonesia, has assessed that the mechanic profession will remain popular among younger generations even as electric motorcycles spread. Citing the growing number of vocational school students and technical-contest participants each year, the analysis points to resilient employment in the motorcycle industry.
Otorider · 7/25/2026
What Happens to the Motorcycle Mechanic as Electrification Advances: AHM's View From Indonesia
AHM, Honda's manufacturing and sales company in Indonesia, has set out its view on the future of the motorcycle mechanic as electric bikes spread. It is a topic that captures structural change in the industry, the effect of electrification on jobs and skills, from a local perspective.
Otorider · 7/25/2026
VinFast Opens 20 Electric Motorcycle Dealerships Simultaneously in Indonesia
Vietnam's VinFast has simultaneously opened 20 electric motorcycle dealerships across Indonesia. The opening events ran July 19-25 and included test rides of the VinFast Evo, Feliz II, and Viper. The rollout covers major cities including Jakarta, Bandung, Semarang, Yogyakarta, and Medan.
Asia News Network · 7/25/2026

Yamaha's High-Quality Service Network in Malaysia Reaches 300 Locations
HLYM, Yamaha's general distributor in Malaysia, has announced that its after-sales service network, Yamaha Quality Service (YQS), has reached 300 locations nationwide. The move aims to standardize post-sale maintenance quality across the country and build greater peace of mind for owners.
BikesRepublic · 7/24/2026

Yamaha Malaysia's Authorized Service Network Hits 300 Outlets, Building the Country's Largest After-Sales Footprint
Hong Leong Yamaha Motor (HLYM) has announced that its certified Yamaha Quality Service (YQS) outlets in Malaysia have grown to 300 locations. The expansion makes it the country's largest after-sales service network, reinforcing support for riders who value peace of mind after purchase.
BikesRepublic · 7/24/2026

Malaysia's "Cermat Madani" Safe-Driving Incentive: Experts Urge Pairing It with Enforcement
On Malaysia's "Cermat Madani" policy, which offers lower insurance premiums to cautious drivers, road safety experts have given a generally positive assessment while stressing that strict enforcement by authorities is essential to make it truly effective. The recommendation is that incentives and enforcement together should raise overall traffic safety.
Paul Tan · 7/24/2026

Vietnam Motorcycle Market Grows 6.1% in H1 2026 as New Models Flood In
Vietnam’s five VAMM members sold 1,367,552 motorcycles in the first half of 2026, up 6.1% year on year and averaging about 7,600 units per day. The figure excludes electric makers such as VinFast and Yadea, unofficial distribution and imported large motorcycles, while new sport bikes, scooters and EVs continue to enter the market.
Thanh Niên · 7/24/2026
Indonesia's Motorcycle Market Recovers in Q2, Ending H1 Up a Modest 0.5%
Indonesia's motorcycle market rebounded in Q2 2026 after a 4.5% Q1 decline driven by a 17.2% March slump, ending the first half up a modest 0.5% at 3.19 million units. Honda continues to dominate ahead of Yamaha and Kawasaki, while EV demand remains weak after government incentives expired without renewal.
MotorCyclesData · 7/23/2026
Thailand Commits Roughly $714 Million to Support Electrification of Motorcycle Taxis, Starting With Commercial Two-Wheelers
Thailand's government plans to invest roughly $714 million to help motorcycle taxi drivers transition to electric vehicles, according to reports. The policy targets commercial motorcycles, which log long daily operating hours, as the starting point for electrification, aiming to both ease fuel costs for drivers and cut emissions. It's drawing attention as an early regional case study.
MotoPinas.com · 7/22/2026
VinFast, Honda, and Yamaha All Launch New Models in Vietnam at Once
Vietnam's three major players, VinFast, Honda, and Yamaha, have reportedly rolled out new models in quick succession. With a local EV maker and major Japanese brands moving simultaneously, competition in the country's motorcycle market is intensifying.
Thương hiệu & Công luận · 7/21/2026
Vietnam's Domestic EV Makers Aim to Grow Share of Motorcycle Market, Challenging Honda's Stronghold
Vietnamese electric motorcycle manufacturers are reportedly aiming to capture a larger share of the domestic motorcycle market. Local EV makers are going on the offensive in a market long dominated by gasoline bikes, with tightening urban emissions rules and strong demand driving the shift to electrification. Attention now turns to the fate of Honda's stronghold.
Tuoi Tre News · 7/21/2026

VinFast Opens 20 Electric Two-Wheeler Showrooms in Indonesia
Vietnamese EV maker VinFast has opened 20 new electric motorcycle showrooms in Indonesia, Southeast Asia's largest two-wheeler market. The move rapidly expands its sales network in a country with massive two-wheeler demand, positioning it to ride the wave of electrification.
Paul Tan · 7/21/2026

Bangkok Launches Project to Promote Electric Motorcycle Taxis
Thailand's capital, Bangkok, has launched a project to promote the adoption of electric motorcycle taxis. By converting motorcycle taxis — an indispensable mode of transport for residents — to electric power, the initiative aims to reduce urban air pollution and ease the cost burden on drivers. It's emblematic of the broader electrification of urban transport across Southeast Asia.
Vietnam Plus · 7/20/2026
Malaysia Authorities Seize Illegally Modified Yamaha Y15ZR With RM4,000 in Mods
In Malacca, Malaysia, a Yamaha Y15ZR modified at a cost of roughly RM4,000 was seized by the Road Transport Department (JPJ). The seizure took place during a roadside check as part of JPJ Malacca's 2026 'Operasi Extreme,' targeting a man in his 20s. The case highlights tightening enforcement against illegal modifications.
BikesRepublic · 7/18/2026
Vietnam's VinFast Launches Electric Motorcycles in Indonesia, Opens 20 Dealerships at Once
Vietnam's VinFast has launched electric motorcycles in Indonesia, with pricing announced alongside the opening of 20 dealerships across the country. It marks a full-scale entry by the Vietnamese EV upstart into one of Southeast Asia's largest markets.
Google News (SEA) · 7/18/2026
Indonesia Considers Rolling Out Domestically Made Electric Motorcycles — A National Strategy to Cut Fuel Use in a Huge Market
Local outlet The Star reports that Indonesia is considering rolling out domestically produced (locally manufactured) electric motorcycles. It is part of a government effort to reduce fuel consumption in the country's massive motorcycle market, positioning locally built electric motorcycles as a strategic mobility initiative. The move draws attention as a signal of how electrification may unfold in Southeast Asia's largest market.
The Star · 7/18/2026

VinFast Opens 20 Electric Motorcycle Dealerships at Once in Indonesia, Southeast Asia's Largest Market
Vietnamese EV maker VinFast has simultaneously opened 20 official dealerships in Indonesia, Southeast Asia's largest motorcycle market. Grand openings ran from July 19-25, launching three models — the Evo, Feliz II, and Viper. All models feature in-wheel motors and two swappable LFP battery packs, with perks such as a year of free battery swaps through V-Green.
Laotian Times · 7/18/2026

Dunlop Launches Tire Warranty in Malaysia Covering Up to 18 Months or 20,000 km
According to Paul Tan, Dunlop has launched 'Go Beyond Assurance' in Malaysia, a tire warranty program covering up to 18 months or 20,000 km, whichever comes first. Under exclusive distributor Toyotsu Binter Malaysia, the program aims to support long-term business growth.
Paul Tan · 7/17/2026
VinFast Partners with Bespoke Logistics to Strengthen Electric Motorcycle Logistics
Vietnam's VinFast has reportedly partnered with Bespoke Logistics to strengthen its electric-motorcycle-based logistics capabilities, including last-mile delivery. The tie-up is seen as part of a broader push to expand electric two-wheelers into corporate and logistics use across Southeast Asia.
Google News Philippines · 7/17/2026