Atlas Honda Limited, formerly known as Atlas Autos, is a Pakistani motorcycle manufacturer based in Karachi.[2] It is the largest motorcycle maker in Pakistan.[3][4] Founded in 1962[5] through a technical collaboration with Honda Motor Company of Japan, it is the largest motorcycle manufacturer in Pakistan by production capacity and market share. The company is a joint venture between Atlas Group (Pakistan) and Honda Motor Company (Japan).[6]
History
Atlas Honda was founded as Atlas Autos Limited following a technical collaboration agreement with Honda Motor Company in 1963, focusing on motorcycle production and sales in Pakistan.[7] The first manufacturing facility was established in Karachi. Later, Honda Atlas also established a manufacturing plant in East Pakistan called Atlas Epak Limited but it was lost after the independence of Bangladesh.[8]
In 1976, Honda Atlas launched CD-70 and CG-125 in Pakistan.[9] Three years later, in 1979, Honda Atlas established a second motorcycle manufacturing plant in Sheikhupura, named Panjdarya Limited.[7]
In 1988, a joint venture agreement with Honda was signed in 1988. Both Atlas Autos Limited and Panjdarya Limited operated were merged in 1991, and the consolidated entity began operating as Atlas Honda Limited.[7]
Production
The company also manufactures various hi-tech components in-house in collaboration with leading parts manufacturers such as Showa Atsumitech, Nippon Denso and Toyo Denso.[10] The company also exports motorcycles to Sri Lanka, Afghanistan and Bangladesh.[11] Atlas Honda has Pakistan's largest in-house manufacturing capability,[12] which include an R&D wing and tool making facilities through CAD/CAM. [13][14]
The company has an annual production capacity of approximately 1.35 million units.[14]
In March 2026, the Board of Directors approved a capital expenditure of Rs 5.3 billion (approximately USD 20 million) for the expansion of its motorcycle operations, aimed at enhancing capacity, automation, and productivity. Following this expansion, the company’s rated annual production capacity is expected to increase to 2 million units.[15][16]
Exports
Atlas Honda exports motorcycles to regional markets including Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, and Bangladesh, as part of its South Asian expansion strategy, with additional outreach to emerging markets in Central Asia and Africa.[17][18]
Products
Atlas Honda introduced two new two-wheelers in Pakistan, the CG150 motorcycle and the Icon e electric scooter. The CG150 uses a 4-stroke SOHC engine, while the Icon e is compliant with the National Electric Vehicle Policy. The releases mark the company’s expansion into both conventional bikes and electric two-wheelers.[19][20]
- Honda CD 70
- Honda CD70 Dream
- Honda Pridor
- Honda CG125
- Honda CG125S
- Honda CG125S Gold
- Honda CB125F
- Honda CG150
- Honda CB150F
- Honda ICON e
See also
External links
References
- Integrated Annual Report 2025 – Atlas Honda Limited Atlas Honda Limited, August 2025, retrieved 1 November 2025^
- Motorcycles: Local market leader, Atlas Honda looks to exports Express Tribune, October 31, 2011, retrieved 16 February 2017^
- Honda: Solid prospects Business Recorder, January 31, 2017, retrieved 18 February 2017^
- Atlas Honda's profit up 32% to Rs 1 billion Express Tribune, January 31, 2017, retrieved 16 February 2017^
- ATLH.PK The Wall Street Journal, retrieved 2025-11-01^
- Shahid Shah. Atlas Honda kick-starts test production from Sheikhupura plant www.thenews.com.pk, 2016-10-16, retrieved 2025-11-01^
- Atlas Honda Limited Brecorder, November 2, 2017^
- Zafar I. Qureshi. Growth at Atlas Group: Deliberate or an Emergent Strategy? Asian Journal of Management Cases, September 1, 2014^
- Daniyal Ahmad. The motorcycle story Profit by Pakistan Today, October 30, 2022^
- Company 16 September 2016^
- Atlas Honda kick-starts test production from Sheikhupura plant The News International, October 16, 2016, retrieved 16 February 2017^
- Atlas Honda Limited: New line of motorcycles to roll out by October Express Tribune, March 5, 2016, retrieved 16 February 2017^
- Atlas Honda's new facility inaugurated Dawn, October 21, 2016, retrieved 16 February 2017^
- Salim Ahmed. Pakistan world's 6th largest motorcycle market Pakistan Observer, October 22, 2016, retrieved 18 February 2017^
- Atlas Honda approves $20 million investment to expand motorcycle operations Profit by Pakistan Today, March 30, 2026^
- Pakistan’s Honda bike assembler approves $20mn investment Brecorder, 2026-03-30, retrieved 2026-03-30^
- Aamir Shafaat Khan. Auto assemblers gear up to tap export markets Dawn, 2021-08-22, retrieved 2025-11-19^
- shahram.haq. Atlas Honda to invest another $50m The Express Tribune, 2012-06-11, retrieved 2025-11-19^
- The Newspaper's Staff Reporter. Atlas Honda to launch electric scooter Dawn, 2025-06-25, retrieved 2025-11-19^
- Honda Atlas rolls out CG150 motorcycle and electric scooter in Pakistan Aaj English TV, 2025-07-28, retrieved 2025-11-19^