Aussie motorcycle market digs in
Makes up some lost ground in the third quarter, and is now only 10.7 percent off the same period in 2009It’s certainly still a grind, but the Australian motorcycle market continues to out perform a number of other countries in an extremely fragile international climate.
The latest official national sales report prepared for the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries (FCAI) shows that the Australian motorcycle market had contracted 10.7 percent in the first nine months of 2010 (YTD) compared to 2009.
But perhaps more importantly, the market has reloaded since the end of July, improving by 1.4 percent during the last three months.
“There has been a slight improvement in the past three months with evidence that the market is now showing signs of stabilising,” FCAI Chief Executive Andrew McKellar said. “It’s encouraging to see some renewed growth despite a colder than usual winter in most parts of Australia,” he said.
“Competitive deals heading into summer will be welcomed by both brands and customers alike."
From January to September, 73,749 ATVs, motorcycles and scooters were sold in Australia, compared to 82,621 in 2009.
In comparison, the car market in Australia was up 14.5 percent at the end of September.
On the current rate of ‘consumption’, the Australian motorcycle market will hit around 89,000 units at the end of the year, which is still a highly respectable result, but some way in arrears of the heady heights reached before the GFC caused international markets to crumble.
The road segment still leads the way in Australia, with 27,978 units sold YTD, ahead of off-road (25,482), ATV (12,738) and scooter (7551). The off-road market is down 13.3 percent YTD, with scooters slipping only 3.4 percent. Road (down 10.4) and ATV (down 10.3) have also felt the pinch.
In terms of market share, Honda still leads on 20.94 percent, ahead of Yamaha (19.13), Suzuki (14.16), Kawasaki (9.10), Harley-Davidson (5.98), KTM (4.81), Polaris (3.14), Triumph (2.94), Kymco (2.38) and BMW (2.02).
Of the top 10, Polaris, Kymco and BMW are the only manufacturers to retail more units compared to 2009, although they are all coming off a lower base than the traditional battle-hardened market powerhouses such as Honda and Yamaha.
There will be more analysis and manufacturer comment to come on the local sales result.
Meanwhile, the UK has just announced its YTD sales figures, and has slumped 14.4 percent (79,493 versus 92,837) behind last year’s figure - with the supersport segment especially torn to shreds, down a whopping 27.6 percent.
In Japan, the situation isn't quite as dire, with that market down just 4.69 percent YTD. The over 250cc and 51-125cc segments have experienced solid growth, but big losses in the 126-250cc and under 50cc categories have put Japan in the red.
Top 10 manufacturers in Australia YTD
1 Honda 15,446
2 Yamaha 14,108
3 Suzuki 10,445
4 Kawasaki 6709
5 Harley-Davidson 4411
6 KTM 3548
7 Polaris 2314
8 Triumph 2171
9 Kymco 1757
10 BMW 1488
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