General: Sales have suffered 12.1 percent decline in 2010
Road bikes remain the most popular form of two-wheeled transport despite an overall drop in the number of people buying new motorcycles.
Figures released by the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries (FCAI) show 48,842 motorcycles, scooters and all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) were sold in the six months to June – a 12.1 percent decline compared to the same period in 2009.
“This half-yearly figure shows some brands performing well despite a decline in the overall market,” FCAI chief executive Andrew McKellar said.
Brands to record significant increases include Kymco (114.8 percent), Buell (62.6 percent), Victory (12.5 percent) and BMW (11.9 percent).
“There is an obvious softening of demand during the winter months but increases in interest rates in the first half of the year have certainly impacted on the market,” he said.
Road bikes were the most popular segment in the marketplace recording 18,894 sales (10 percent decrease) followed by the off-road segment’s 16,625 sales (13.7 percent decrease).
There were 8165 ATVs sold in the six months to June (down 16 percent) and scooter sales fell 8.4 per cent to record 5,158 sales.
“It is an extremely competitive marketplace at the moment with many manufacturers offering incentives for riders to trade-up or buy their first motorcycle or scooter,” McKellar said. “These, added to the already sound environmental and economic reasons to buy a motorcycle, should renew confidence in the market place in the second half of the year.”
Honda was the overall market leader with 10,554 half yearly sales, followed by Yamaha with 8889 and then Suzuki with 7079.
There are indicators that the motorcycle market should pick up before the end of the year according to Honda Australia’s general manager, Motorcycles, Tony Hinton, who is more than happy with the manufacturer’s number one retail position for the first six months of the year.
“The market overall has struggled to gain momentum due to the global financial crisis and numerous interest rate hikes, but Honda’s results have remained relatively stable with models such as the CRF50F fun bike, TRX250 ATV, CB400 LAMS bike and SCV100 Lead Scooter continuing to lead their class,” Hinton said this afternoon.
“We have had some issues to overcome like most manufacturers over the past 18 months, however, rates have settled down and consumer confidence should improve paving the way to stronger summer sales. We are expecting to finish the year fairly well in a number of sectors including road bikes, and are pleased with how the first six months of the year has gone for us.”
Honda produced five of the top ten overall selling models for the period including the CT110P, CRF250R motocrosser and CRF230F farm bike.
“We recently introduced a few new models into our line up including the retro CB1100, the very affordable VT750 and variations of the VT1300 chopper which are all doing very well,” Hinton continued.
“For the second half of the year, we will be releasing an all new scooter that we think will be a big hit with the commuter market, and of course, offers all the Honda reliability and efficiency that our product development staff work so hard at to achieve.”
Honda’s CT110X was again the top seller overall, edging out Kawasaki’s Ninja 250R, with the Honda CRF50F third best.
Suzuki’s GS500F was the top selling Sports Tourer, with Kawasaki’s KLR650 the best selling Adventure Tourer on the market.
Honda’s CBR1000RR was the best selling Super Sport, while in the Naked category it was Honda’s CB400 that claimed the top spot.
The Motard segment saw Suzuki’s DR-Z400SM as the top seller, while the top selling adult off-road bike was Yamaha’s revolutionary YZ450F motocross bike.
Honda’s CRF250R was the best selling 250cc four-stroke motocross bike on the market.
Suzuki’s DR-Z range was just as popular in the Enduro segment, the DR-Z400E again the top seller as it edged out the WR450F.
Check out the entire list of sales figures and results in the detailed reports below.
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