Honda has dominated motorcycles for decades. Electric bikes are changing that

Honda has long dominated motorcycle sales worldwide, but accelerating adoption of electric motorcycles and scooters is starting to erode that lead in key markets. Vietnam illustrates the shift. In the first nine months of 2026, the country recorded more than 3 million total motorcycle and scooter sales, up 25.9% year-on-year. Electric two-wheelers drove the change: sales rose 90.5% to 973,247 units, reaching roughly 32% share of new sales. VinFast benefited most, jumping 152.1% to move into second place, while Honda—still number one overall—grew 8.4%. Yamaha ranked third and Yadea fourth. With half of the top four players now electric and those brands growing fastest, Vietnam’s market is moving away from a purely Japanese gasoline-heavy model.