Motorcycle sales contract 12 percent in first quarter

Yet to see a major turnaround

While motor vehicle sales in Australia are currently exceeding expectations - last month was the biggest March ever - the motorcycle market isn't yet following the same script.

Official figures released by the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries (FCAI) show that 23,211 motorcycles, scooters and all-terrain vehicles were sold in the first quarter of this year - a decrease of 12.2 per cent (3215 units) over the same period in 2009.

"This has been a slow start to the 2010 sales year with a uniform decline across all categories," FCAI Chief Executive Andrew McKellar said. "We have yet to see any turnaround in the marketplace since sales softened some 18 months ago," he said.

"Despite the overall softness of the market there have been some brands, particularly some premium ones, which have shown improved performance. It's hoped the next quarter will provide some renewed growth."

The roadbike segment has been the most popular in the first quarter of 2010, recording 9692 sales year to date (YTD) compared to 10,844 last year. Behind roadbike came off-road (7419, down 14.5 percent), ATV (3363, down 11.7) and scooter (2737, down 11.7).

Between then, Yamaha, Honda and Suzuki command just over 50 percent of the entire motorcycle market. In raw numbers, that equates to a 583-unit (4604 to 4021) lead by Yamaha over its long-time adversary Honda, while Suzuki has retailed 3074 units.

The top 10 in market share is completed by Kawasaki (8.90 percent), Harley-Davidson (7.44), KTM (4.69), Triumph (3.61), Polaris (2.7), Kymco (2.38) and Husqvarna (2.12).

Kawasaki's Ninja 250 continues to steal the show as far as 'individual' honours are concerned, and has 488 sales YTD, ahead of the Honda CT110 (409), Yamaha YZ450F (382), Honda CRF250R (294) and Yamaha YZ250F (243).

That quintet is unlikely to change over the next few months, but the pecking order in the second half of the top 10 could be in for some change, with just 19 units separating the Suzuki DR-Z400E in sixth position from the 10th placed Yamaha PW50. Sandwiched in between are the Yamaha WR450F, Triumph Thunderbird and Kawasaki KX250F.

The other market segments are being led by the following:

ATV: Yamaha TRX420TM
Roadbikes: Ninja 250
Cruisers: Thunderbird
Scooters: Piaggio Fly 125
Sportstouring: Suzuki GS500F (pictured)
250cc roadbikes: Ninja 250
Adventure touring: Kawasaki KLR650
Naked: Honda CB400
Supersport: Honda CBR1000RR
Touring: Harley-Davidson FLSTC
Supermotard: Yamaha XT660
Off-road: YZ450F
Enduro: DR-Z400E
Motocross: YZ450F

Click on the following link for the summary report.

Click on the following link for the top 10 in each market segment.

MANUFACTURER COMMENT

Australia & New Zealand Chief Executive Officer, Stuart McLean: Kymco has bucked the trend to increase total sales volume by a staggering 82.8 percent in quarter one 2010 versus quarter one 2009. FCAI results show that Kymco has been one of the few scooter manufacturers to post growth over the same period last year with 8.3 percent sales growth in a market that has contracted by 11.7 percent. However, while the strong scooter result is further evidence of the success of the barnstorming Kymco brand, much of the growth has come from the incredibly successful launch of the company's ATV and motorcycle range last year. Kymco achieved a national ATV market share of 3.1 percent in March - only its ninth month in the Australian ATV market - to complement its 3.1 percent market share result for the entire first quarter. This result is predicated by an outstanding result in Queensland - Australia's biggest ATV market - where Kymco is already becoming a dominant player with a market share of 5.5 percent in March and 4.5 percent for quarter one. "Our product range is new and fresh, and we continue to live the Kymco creed of offering premium products at outstanding value…and more and more customers are realizing this. This is a pleasing result, but our expectations are that a strong growth trend will continue for many years to come. Most competitors of Kymco have failed to fair as well during quarter one, with many of the major brands losing significant ground on the same time last year. Capping off an outstanding result for Kymco, the Vibe 50cc scooter was the named the fourth highest selling scooter of quarter one, while the new CK125 motorcycle entered the Top 10 sellers' list for below 250cc motorcycles for the first time.

Brand Manager Simon Gloyne: "Piaggio has retained its top spot in the scooter category, with the Fly 125 taking out first position, 32 units ahead of its nearest competitor. Finishing off the first quarter with a 40.2 percent increase over the same period last year, the Fly has continued to perform well in the sales stakes. Having the No. 1 selling scooter is fantastic, but it's also interesting that the Fly was also No. 5 in the roadbike list… quite outrageously exceeding sales of all but three of motorcycling's big capacity touring and sportsbikes. Clearly fuel economy, a low environmental impact and ease of use continue to be important considerations for today's savvy commuter. And we've just replaced the Fly 125 with the more powerful Fly 150 and at the exact same price. That's great value. Piaggio also had two other top 10 placings with the Vespa LX 150 in fifth position and the Piaggio Zip 50 in eighth place. MLP for Fly 150 is $2990."

Marketing Manager Mal Jarrett: "Once again Triumph's Thunderbird has 'ruled the roost' when it comes to the latest FCAI sales results. The Thunderbird took out the No. 1 spot in the cruiser category, 26 units ahead of its nearest rival. The Thunderbird was also the third biggest selling roadbike, and the eighth biggest selling motorcycle overall. We are of course ecstatic with the way that the Thunderbird has been selling. Initially we thought that once all original orders had been filled, demand may slow a little, or level out a bit, but it appears that the desire to get on board one of the most successful motorcycles of Triumph's modern era is still exceeding all expectations. We have also just released the big-bore kit for the Thunderbird -- which takes the capacity to 1700cc from 1600cc -- for those who want even more from the already extremely capable Thunderbird. Triumph's Sprint ST also performed well by taking fourth position in the sportstouring category, and the Bonneville, Street and Speed Triples also scored top 10 positions in the nakedbike category."

Motorcycle sales contract 12 percent in first quarter

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