Motorcycle market up 3.1 percent
Showing plenty of tenacity in an economy where consumer confidence remains tepid, but that's only thanks to the ATV and scooters sectors growing handsomelyPrimed by aggressive retail strategies, the Australian motorcycle market – ATV, off-road, road and scooter – has grown 3.1 percent in the first six months of 2011, with 50,379 units retailed compared to 48,878 in 2010.
But although the overall market has improved, only two segments have been catalysts to the shift back into the black – ATV and scooter. They have risen 29.1 and 14.3 percent respectively in the first half of 2011, while off-road and road are 7.5 and 2.0 percent in the red.
In ATV, all the big players (Japanese Inc, BRP, Polaris and Kymco) have increased sales, while new entrant CF Moto has added to the category’s depth with 130 sales in 2011.
In scooter, a rousing result from Taiwanese manufacturer Kymco (1137) now has it has the No. 1 brand in Australia, ahead of the Piaggio Group (Piaggio, Vespa and Gilera).
In off-road, Yamaha’s still leading the game comfortably despite a slight drop, with European brands Husaberg and Husqvarna the only ones to make positive inroads so far in 2011.
The road segment presents a mixed bag for manufacturers, with expansion (Honda, Kawasaki, Yamaha, BMW, Sachs, Aprilia, CF Moto, Victory, Moto Guzzi, MV Agusta and Husaberg) and contraction (Harley-Davidson, Suzuki, Triumph, Hyosung, Kymco, KTM and Megelli).
Overall, Honda is the market leader with a 20.69 percent slice of the Aussie pie, ahead of perennial rival Yamaha (18.56), Suzuki (12.57), Kawasaki (9.69), Harley-Davidson (5.87), KTM (3.84), Polaris (3.74), Kymco (3.66), Triumph (2.86) and BMW (1.85).
The growth in motorcycle sales has so-far outpaced the wider passenger and commercial vehicle market during 2011, according to FCAI Chief Executive Andrew McKellar.
“The overall market for motorcycles has continued to see a little growth during 2011 compared with car and light commercial sales, which are down 6.6 percent year-to-date,” said FCAI Chief Executive Andrew McKellar. “The growth of scooter sales and the resilience of overall road bike sales suggest commuters are finding motorcycles to be a practical solution to continuing high fuel prices and inner-city traffic congestion.”
Kawasaki’s Ninja 250R is the biggest selling bike this year with 1093 units, ahead of the Honda CTX110 (1034), the Honda CBR250R (889), Honda CRF50F (694), Yamaha YZ450F (566), Suzuki DR-Z400E (548), Honda CRF250R (495), Honda CRF230F (483), Yamaha YZ50F (449) and Yamaha PW50 (444).
Of the top 10, only four are road-registerable, and the continued dominance of the Ninja 250R - in addition to the recently released CBR250R - confirms that the 250cc and under road bike segment remains extremely vibrant.
As for the top 10 road bikes sold, the Ninja 250R and CBR250R dominate, with the first ‘big’ bike the Yamaha XVS650 in fourth position – but a whopping 515 units behind the Honda.
After the XVS650, there’s a little bit of everything, starting with cruiser (Harley-Davidson XL1200X), sports bike (Honda CBR1000RR), scooter (Kymco Vibe), adventure (Kawasaki KLR650), scooter (Piaggio Fly 150) and entry (Yamaha YZF-R15).
The leaders in the other top 10 categories are:
- ATV – Honda TRX500FM
- Cruiser – Yamaha XVS650
- Scooter – Kymco Vibe
- Sports touring – Kawasaki Ninja 650RL
- Adventure – Kawasaki KLR650
- Naked – Triumph Street Triple
- Supersport – Honda CBR1000RR
- Touring – Harley-Davidson FLSTC
- Supermotard – Yamaha XT660
- Off-road – Honda CRF50F
- Enduro – Suzuki DR-Z400E
- Motocross – Yamaha YZ450F
- Fun – Honda CRF50F
- Farm – Honda CTX200
- Trail – Honda CRF230F
Click on the following link to read the top 10 sellers in each category.
Click on the following link to read the market summary report.
Check out the entire range of ATVs, off-road, road and scooters on the Australian market in Bike Showroom.
- Overall sales growth of 59.4 percent over the first half of 2010
- 76 percent sales growth in scooters to become Australia’s No. 1 scooter brand
- 85 percent growth in ATVs to annex 4.9 percent of the national market inside two years
- The eighth largest motorcycle brand in the country
Kymco Australia posted a strong June result to cap off a remarkable first half of 2011, which has seen the locally owned and operated Taiwanese brand become Australia’s number one scooter brand, generate sales growth of 85 percent in the ATV segment and capture three percent of the entire Australian motorcycle market – despite not participating in several key product segments.
In the first half of 2011, Kymco increased total sales volume by a staggering 59.4 percent over the same period in 2010, according to results recently released by the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries (FCAI). Making this growth even more impressive is the fact that 2010 was in itself a record-breaking year for Kymco.
In only its third year in the Australian motorcycle market, Kymco is already beginning to replicate the same levels of success enjoyed by the global powerhouse around the world.
Outstanding results since Kymco’s introduction to the Australian market three years ago has seen Kymco rise to become the eighth largest motorcycle brand in Australia.
After taking the mantle as Australia’s No. 1 selling scooter during Q1, Kymco has extended its lead as the country’s premier scooter brand with sales growth of 75.7 percent over the first half of 2010 in a market that has grown by only 14.3 percent.
This growth is unlikely to slow over the coming months with the introduction of the much-anticipated Super 850 and Like 200i scooters in spring.
“We are delighted to be Australia’s number one scooter brand and share the market penetration enjoyed by Kymco across the globe,” said Kymco Australia Chief Executive Officer, David Le Mottee.
“An outstanding product, value-for-money, a strong dealer network and quality local management are among the reasons that Kymco is the country’s largest independently owned motorcycle brand, and now Australia’s No. 1 scooter brand.”
Currently celebrating their second anniversary in the Australian market, Kymco ATVs also faired well with 85.3 percent sales growth during the first half of 2011 over the same period last year, finishing the January to June period with 4.9 percent of the national ATV market.
Kymco Australia work under the philosophy for agricultural ATVs of ‘Simplicity in Design- with the correct features.’ This means easier maintenance and lower costs and this is why many Australian farmers are turning to Kymco to get the job done.
TRIUMPH
Triumph’s Street Triple is the No. 1 naked bike in the country! In fact, Triumph absolutely dominates the naked class with no less than four bikes in the top 10, with the Street Triple joined by the Speed Triple, Bonneville and Thruxton.
Other bikes to earn honourable mentions are:
- Thunderbird - in the top 10 selling cruisers;
- Sprint GT - in the top 10 selling sports tourers;
- Daytona 675 - in the top 10 selling sports bikes; and
- Tiger 800 – No. 4 in the adventure bike category.
“We are particularly pleased with the way that the new Tiger adventure bike has been accepted,” said Triumph’s Marketing Manager, Malcolm ‘Horse’ Jarrett. “The bike has been tested right across the country, in all types of terrain, by all types of motorcycle publications and it has come up trumps every time.”
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