Honda introduced this scooter nameplate to the U.S. market for the 2002 model year as a small, step-through urban commuter, marketed at first as the Metropolitan 50 / CHF50. It filled the role of a simple, easy-to-live-with city scooter with automatic transmission, compact dimensions, and practical storage, aimed at riders who wanted low-stress transportation rather than a full-size motorcycle. The original run continued through the 2009 model year.
After a gap in U.S. availability, Honda brought the name back for the 2013 model year on a redesigned fuel-injected scooter using the NCH50 designation. That revival kept the Metropolitan identity but updated the formula with modern emissions and convenience features while preserving the same basic mission: an approachable, stylish runabout for short urban trips and neighborhood commuting. The model has remained in Honda’s U.S. scooter lineup through the present day.
Because the nameplate has appeared in two separate production periods, it should be treated as a revived model rather than one uninterrupted continuous run. Enthusiasts often view the Metropolitan as one of Honda’s most recognizable small scooters in North America, valued for its friendly size, everyday practicality, and long-running city-oriented personality.