Honda to exit Australian ATV market

Rather than add the Operator Protection Devices (OPDs) that will be mandatory on all new ATVs from 11 October, 2021, Honda announced on 31 March that they will join Polaris and Yamaha in ending sales of their utility ATV range in Australia.

"The new Standard is extremely disappointing for farm safety and the countless farmers who rely on quad bikes every day,” said Managing Director of Honda Australia Motorcycle and Power Equipment, Robert Toscano. “The safety of our customers is paramount, we will never compromise on this. Now that the rules have changed, it means we have to say goodbye to our ATV line up down under.”

Honda MPE presented evidence that OPDs may cause more injuries than they prevent, and like Yamaha and Polaris, they believe the science behind their introduction is untested, adding that alternative safety measures would be more effective. 

"Safety standards must be evidence-based, in both criteria and testing methods, to internationally accepted standards. Honda has provided research to show the negative outcomes of the governments' proposal but unfortunately it was not considered and we are here in this position,” Toscano added.

While all Honda ATVs will be discontinued after 10 October, 2021, some models will be removed from the local market this October, including the following: TRX500FM2, TRX500FM6, TRX500FA7 and TRX680FA. These four will be replaced by the new TRX520 range but these will only be available until 10 October, 2021. Honda dealers will be depleting their stocks in the lead up to this date, after which no new Honda ATVs will be sold.

In the Australian ATV market last year, Honda was the second-best selling brand behind Polaris, with 3,749 total sales, including 502 for the soon-to-be-discontinued TRX500FM.

After sales end in 2021, Honda say they will continue to provide servicing and supply parts for Honda ATV owners until at least 2030, while sales of Honda’s Pioneer SSV (Side by Side) and conventional ag bikes will continue unchanged.