Jean-Luc L’Hermine (Kymco): the DownTown 350 ABS was very popular

With 2,758 registrations, Kymco posted an increase of + 9.6% on the French motorcycle market. Jean-Luc L’Hermine, Deputy Managing Director Kymcolux, establishes for MNC the 2015 balance sheet of the Taiwanese brand and reveals its objectives for 2016. Interview.

Site: Do you consider that the announcement of the end of the 100 horse law has had a detrimental effect on the market in general? ?
Jean-Luc L’Hermine, Deputy Managing Director Kymcolux: Kymco considers this announcement to be good news for French bikers. However, we believe this will create a problem in the second-hand market..

MNC: On the contrary, will it boost activity in 2016? ?
J-L. L .: Provided bikers can sell their previous motorcycle…

MNC: Can the Paris Motor Show at the end of 2015 also stimulate the market at the start of the year? ?
J-L. L .: The holding of allowed the manufacturers present to exhibit new products to a large audience and to highlight our activity in media that do not often mention our sector. These two combined phenomena, we hope, should boost our activity at the start of the year..

MNC: How do you interpret the current success of "neo-retro" motorcycles? ?
J-L. L .: The neo-retro is a success in all consumer sectors, so it’s no surprise that motorcycles and scooters are also affected. Kymco is also benefiting from this enthusiasm with our Like Neo Retro scooter, which has increased volumes by + 50%.

MNC: What is your opinion on the ban on motorcycles before 2000 in Paris from this summer? ?
J-L. L .: This measure seems arbitrary to us and unfortunately does not take into account user constraints..

MNC: How do you feel about the overall evolution of the French motorcycle market in 2015? ?
J-L. L .: With a drop of over -3% in registrations (50 cc included, Editor’s note), the balance sheet remains negative. Even if some segments have done much better than others, overall the market remains sluggish and we must remain cautious.

MNC: What is your assessment for your brand in 125 and large cubes? ?
J-L. L .: In 125 cc, Kymco launched the, which helped support our activity. We thus ended the year with a 5.6% market share and a steady increase in our volumes. Beyond the 125 cc, the was very popular with journalists and our customers. In a declining segment, we ended 2015 with a + 4% increase in our volumes.

MNC: Which models have performed particularly well this year?
J-L. L .: On the 50 cc, our range is fourth in sales. We are also proud of our performance with the Neo Retro Like model, available in 50 cc and 125 cc: its volumes have increased by + 50% compared to 2014. The DownTown ABS 125 and 350, although launched late, show a good performance that we will support thanks to the launch of our Exclusive line.

MNC: Who are those who have stayed behind? Why ?
J-L. L .: Kymco offers a range in the course of renewal and the decline in sales of certain products was anticipated.

MNC: Did your new products for 2015 reach their commercial objectives? ?
J-L. L .: Yes.

MNC: What was the pleasant surprise of your 2015? And the less good ?
J-L. L .: The performance of our new models in our network, which is becoming more professional and becoming more profitable, is an excellent thing. On the other hand, in accordance with our forecasts, the market shows a significant drop in volume.

MNC: According to you, what was the highlight of 2015 in the world of two-wheelers? ?
J-L. L .: In 2015 and 2016, all manufacturers are offering new products in all segments. This should boost the market.

MNC: What are your good resolutions for 2016 ?
J-L. L .: Position the brand’s image in terms of its performance: Kymco finished fifth in the national market.

MNC: What are your major events in 2016 ?
J-L. L .: The launch of our new Exclusive line on the DownTown 125 ABS and 350 ABS initially, followed by the launch of. Finally, on the quad side, we are already working on our third national hike: Kymco Evasion.

MNC: To conclude, what Kymco ordered from Santa Claus this year ?
J-L. L .: …

Interview by Matthieu BRETILLE

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