Business – The motorcycle industry requires the same public aid as the automotive sector –

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The motorcycle industry asks for the same public aid as the auto sector

Business - The motorcycle industry requires the same public aid as the automotive sector -

Gathered this week in Bologna, representatives of the manufacturers of motorized two-wheelers in Europe (ACEM) are asking Brussels for the same public aid as that granted to the automotive sector to deal with the crisis.

The representatives of the manufacturers of motorized two-wheelers in Europe, gathered within the ACEM (read in particular), met this week at the Ducati headquarters in Bologna (Italy) for their annual general meeting.

General assembly against the backdrop of the crisis

On the menu … The crisis, of course! Considering themselves in difficulty (read in particular our), the members of ACEM decided to ask the European Commission and the Member States of the European Union (EU) "the same treatment as the automotive industry".

An industry severely affected

"The motorized two-wheeler industry is affected by the current economic crisis with an 8% decline in registrations in 2008 and poor forecasts for 2009", recalls the ACEM while specifying that"these figures partially hide the significant drop of -34% in the last quarter of 2008 (-42% for cyclists and -28% for motorcycles over 125 cm3) compared to the same period 2007". These considerable drops are confirmed by registrations in January 2009, which show a"even stronger negative signal"in the main motorized two-wheeler markets in Europe,"around -40%", considers the ACEM (also read our and our).

"The European Commission recently announced measures to combat the slowdown in the automotive sector", note the motorcycle manufacturers, believing that given its similarities with the auto industry, the motorized two-wheeler industry should receive the same treatment.

"The motorized two-wheeler sector needs the same urgent and radical measures to prevent a prolonged period of recession, supporting the industry and continuing to pursue environmental goals shared by policymakers and manufacturers.", says ACEM.

"By identifying a series of tools and measures to support the automotive sector, the EU has shown its ability to act in times of crisis", rejoiced Stefan Pierer, CEO of KTM unanimously renewed for two years as president of ACEM (read):"the motorcycle industry faces the same types of problems as the auto industry and, despite our smaller size, we need the same types of tools if we are to successfully emerge from this recession.”.

Credit difficulties

Recalling that the motorized two-wheeler industry risks being permanently affected by the crisis (see box above), ACEM calls on EU member states to tackle the problems of the motorcycle sector "with the same determination"than for the auto sector, insofar as there too,"healthy businesses and jobs are at risk".

ACEM welcomes
two new members

ACEM also took advantage of its general assembly in Bologna to welcome two new members: BRP, manufacturer of a new type of motor tricycle with a factory in Austria, and ARGE2RAD, the Austrian association of cyclo builders and distributors..

Another hot topic that currently risks endangering many companies in France and Europe: the reluctance of bankers, particularly strong since the sub-prime crisis … "Actions must now be taken without delay to remove bureaucratic barriers and speed up their implementation at the national level", concluded Mr. Pierer, considering that"non-functioning"financial markets"limits access to credit".

It remains to be seen whether this pressing call from ACEM will be heard, without forgetting that the entire fabric of companies directly or indirectly linked to the motorcycle and scooter industry (dealers, agents, equipment manufacturers, props, etc.) represents significantly more jobs (and therefore potential unemployed) than all the manufacturers combined … To be continued … Stay connected !

Eric MICHEL

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