Business – ACEM reiterates its request for urgent intervention for the motorcycle industry –

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ACEM reiterates its request for urgent intervention for the motorcycle industry

Business - ACEM reiterates its request for urgent intervention for the motorcycle industry -

Motorcycle and scooter manufacturers, represented to European bodies by ACEM, have renewed their request for urgent intervention by the authorities to counter the effects of the crisis, on the model of what has been done for the automobile.

Stefan Pierer, the Austrian big boss of KTM and president of ACEM, has just met the Vice-President of the European Commission for Enterprise and Industry, Gunter Verheugen.

Objective: to remind him of the necessary application to the motorized two-wheeler industry of "same anti-crisis measures already adopted for the automotive sector"(read).

"Registrations of motorized two-wheelers in Europe have fallen significantly (-34%) since the last quarter of 2008", recalls ACEM, indicating that"the severity of the economic collapse is straining the purchasing power of consumers", with negative consequences not only for manufacturers but also for all manufacturers linked to the motorized two-wheeler sector, from manufacturers of spare parts to dealer networks.

Suppliers and distributors even face financial difficulties "even more important", worries ACEM, because of the combined effect of the drop in orders, over-storage and the deterioration of their borrowing capacities:"around 10% of suppliers are at risk of bankruptcy, while others have already gone out of business"…

In the first quarter of 2009, the European motorized two-wheeler market fell by 39%, further indicates ACEM, while "over the same period, the automotive market declined by 17.2%".

Following this interview, Mr. Verheugen was in favor of the principle of applying to the motorcycle and scooter sector the same treatment as the automotive sector, on the basis of the Commission program entitled "Responding to the crisis in industry European automobile ".

This program notably includes support for demand via incentives for fleet renewal, and easier access to financing for companies, including suppliers and resellers..

The Directorate-General for Enterprise and Industry of the European Commission should therefore study how to better integrate the motorized two-wheeler sector in future Brussels initiatives, in particular with an incentive to produce cleaner and safer vehicles..

An additional step towards motorcycle technical control – which will be addressed by the Commission in spring 2010 and which benefits in particular from the support of ACEM (see our video interview with its president Jacques Compagne). This chapter of technical regulations must however be addressed "with caution so as not to come at the expense of the motorized two-wheeler industry", recalls ACEM, keeping in mind"industry opportunities and market acceptance".

"Builders are struggling and looking to minimize their impact on people, but times are tough and we need external support", concluded Stefan Pierer, President of ACEM, with satisfaction"positive reception"from Mr. Verheugen in response to his requests.

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