Market reports – Absolute record of motorcycle sales in France! –

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Absolute record of motorcycle sales in France !

Market reports - Absolute record of motorcycle sales in France! -

In 2007, 238,966 motorcycles were registered in France. The gap between the 125s and the big cars has narrowed even further but has not reversed, as has the gap between sales of scooters and those of road cars. ! Figures and analyzes.

Data from the International Automobile and Motorcycle Union (CSIAM) are clear: last year in France, even more motorcycles were registered than in 2006! 238 966 against 229 364 to be exact, that is to say an increase of 4.2% of the two-wheel market of "more than 50cc".

Among this set of new vehicles sold, 4.1% were in the category of "Customs Choppers" (against 3.8% in 2006), 10.7% of "All-terrain" (against 12%), 41.6 % of "Scooters" (against 37.2%) and 43.6% of "Roads" (against 46.9%)…

The share of scooters has therefore increased significantly and one can wonder if in the future – more or less? – close, their sales will not exceed those of road vehicles !

No need, however, to try to predict this development, as the similar struggle between the 125cc and the big cubes during the year 2007 proved to us that caution was required in this matter….

The big cubes make resistance !

While at the end of 2006 one could imagine that the sales of 125 would supplant those of "more than 125" in 2007, it was not: the number of registrations of large cubes remained, one more year, higher. to that of their little sisters! Or rather should we say "little brothers", because almost three sales of 125 out of four are now scooters! And what will happen in 2008 ?

As for 2007, the results are final and it is again Yamaha which dominates the French motorcycle market, totaling 18.56% of the market share. Its sales may have fallen by 10.3% compared to 2006 – but not those of its Xmax, still the French best seller! -, the tuning forks brand remains the undisputed leader ahead of Suzuki (13.76% PDM) and Honda (13.43%).

Behind, Piaggio and its armada of two or three wheel scooters manage – logically – to improve their 2006 score with 9.31% of PDM in 2007. However, the reorganization of the 125 range and the arrival in the middle of the year of the "big" MP3 undoubtedly prevented him from taking full advantage of the development of the scooter in France…

With radically opposed products, Kawasaki signs a good progression of 6.9% mainly thanks to its two roadsters (Z750 and ER-6) and thus totals 7.88% of the French PDM. Behind the 4th Japanese, the first French Peugeot Motocycles retains its share of the pie (3.25%), just ahead of BMW (3.18%) and KTM, Harley Davidson and MBK (around 2.3%).

Special mention for Triumph which saw its sales increase by 47.1%, Sym (+ 111.1%), Gilera (+ 237.7%) and the insatiable Chinese: Sky Team, Keeway and Jmstar in particular.

Market 125: 117,858 registrations (+ 4.9%)

Among the 125cc, we note in December the intrusion of two Chinese in the top 10 manufacturers. Indeed, pointing to 7th and 8th places, Jmstar and Fym respectively registered 299 and 270 vehicles. At the same time, the latter are in an excellent position in the top 15 sales by model: the Aquila Jmstar is 4th (285 immats) and the FY125 Fym 5th (237).

Could this be the start of a new era? Not yet … These results are inconsistent with those recorded in 2006 in the same month and above all, do not reflect the trend observed at the end of 2007.

In fact, some small manufacturers – here mean the Chinese giants who sell only a few copies in France – in 2007 benefited from an exemption to sell vehicles meeting only the Euro2 emissions standard..

In 2008, on the other hand, all new vehicles will have to comply with the Euro 3 standard … Hence the "wild" registration – and not the sale – of the last stocks, which inflate the results and upset the statistics !

The opposite effect is also observed at Yamaha, which recorded a drop in registrations of … 63.8% last month! At the end of 2006, the French number one had registered quantity of YBR "Euro2" (with a peak in November of 1362 units, lire and), in order to sell them at the beginning of 2007.

Yamaha’s market share in December thus went from an overwhelming 33.5% in 2006 to a modest 11.4% in 2007 … And in the monthly ranking, Yamaha (890 immats) fell to 3rd place behind Piaggio (1304) and Honda (1019).

Yamaha still n ° 1 with its Xmax

Nonetheless, over the twelve months of 2007, Yamaha is once again the winner! With 21,653 units sold in France, the tuning forks firm totals 18.37% of national sales and returns by far the best French sale of the year: its Xmax sold 9,740 units. !

For the second consecutive year therefore – and after the Majesty 125 in 2005 -, the top-of-the-range scooter from Yam is devoted, this year even more flying over the "competition". However, the same cannot be said for its brand: Yamaha registrations are down 16.3% compared to 2006 and Yam is now threatened by Piaggio….

Because as in 2006, the 125 scooters were in 2007 the locomotives of the French market, representing 72.5% of sales against 67% in 2006 and 63.9% in 2005. Therefore, it is natural to find in 2nd position the scooter specialist: Piaggio !

The adopted MP3

Despite its change of range – the XEvo took over from the X9 and the X7 replaced the X8 at the very end of the year – Piaggio practically followed the general trend of the 125cc market in France (by + 4.9%). And if Yamaha has the French best seller, the Italian consoles himself with his "ORNI": the MP3, adopted in its 125 version by 3,836 of our fellow citizens..

In the end, Piaggio registered 20,271 scooters and maintains its PDM above 17%. This year (yes, 2008!), Armed with its latest innovations – even the hybrid MP3 -, who knows where the Pontedera manufacturer will be? Response soon in the monthly reports Site !

Behind the leading duo, Honda occupies a solitary third place. With 14,798 sales, the world number one slips below 13% of French PDM, the fault in particular of the late arrival of its S-Wing, replacing the Pantheon…

But even by cumulating the sales of these two models, Honda only reached 7th place in the ranking of sales of 125 scooters, with 3,055 registrations. Luckily, her valiant Varadero continues to coax bikers who don’t own – yet? – license A.

The Varadero exception

Sold to 6,068 copies in 2007, the small motorcycle even climbs to 2nd place in sales of 125! Good performance for a machine priced at over € 5,000, while the Yamaha YBR (just € 2,000) made 3,397 sales and the Honda CBR (below € 3,000) 1,785.

The first manufacturer (following the order of the final ranking) to see its PDM increase in 2007, Suzuki registered 7,491 vehicles (+ 10.5%), including 5,747 Burgman. The new version of its GT scooter is also ranked 3rd best seller in France behind the unmistakable Xmax and the exceptional Varadero.

However, it was not long before a Frenchman climbed on the final podium in scooter sales: in 4th position, the Satelis – from which we could no longer differentiate between registrations of the standard and compressed versions at the end of the year – sold 5,729 copies.

The small gap separating the Satelis from the Burgman (18 units) perfectly illustrates the battle between the two brands. Finally, the support of the VanVan (RV125) enabled Suzuki to climb back up to its "traditional" 4th step in the 125 constructor ranking, squatted in 2006 by Peugeot Motocycles.

The two French

Peugeot therefore failed to increase its sales in 2007: the large wheels of the Geopolis handicapped it on a French market concentrated on small … Accusing even a drop of 1.6% of its sales, the Lion of Sochaux, however, remains far ahead of his compatriot MBK.

With twin products to those of Yamaha, MBK equalized its 2006 sales, nothing more. Its network of urban dealerships has an image that is still too "50cc" for B license holders to rush into it at the same rate as in Yamaha dealerships … But the potential is very present !

The one whose potential came to light in 2007 is just behind MBK: the Taiwanese Sym! It ended the year by doubling its 2006 sales: + 116.8% to be exact. The success of his GTS has a lot to do with it, his scooter combining a GT template at a reasonable price (€ 2,999), both dear to French consumers….

Finally, we note the return of Gilera, who is in 17th place in the final manufacturer’s ranking, while the French Scorpa disappears from the top 30.

The "others" are progressing

Precisely eclipsed by Sym, Daelim and his S2 scooter have gradually fallen into line. After increasing its sales by 85.4% in 2006, the Korean has maintained its pace and market share, which goes from 3.16 to 3.25%.

Last dam before the horde of Chinese (in order Sky Team, Keeway, Jmstar, Yiying and Jonway!), Aprilia and Kymco had a difficult year 2007, synonymous with a respective drop of 5.1 and 14.5% of their sales.

Market over 125: 121,108 registrations (+ 3.5%)

As for "more than 125", December was marked by the excellent score of the Bandit 650: 664 registrations against 411 for the ER-6 and 277 for the Hornet. No doubt there were some air-cooled models at Suzuki (therefore Euro2)…

As in 125, the definitive switch to Euro3 led to mass registrations of other models which took advantage of this to appear – stealthily – in the top 15 of French best sales. We salute the Yam WR250F, the Husqvarna 610SMS and the KTM 250 EXC-F and 950 Supermoto. Good "opportunities" could therefore be available in certain concessions at the start of the year. !

The fact remains that cumulatively, the Kawasaki Z750 obtains again the title of best seller in "more than 125" with 7,044 registrations. So it’s been three years since the "Zed seven and a half" took first place on the French podium, completed this year by the ER-6 (5,846 immats) and the Fazer 600 (5,720).

Kawasaki Lined

Remember that for most motorcycles, sales of the "naked" and faired versions are inseparable, therefore inseparable in the stats … In fact, among the best sales, only the SV650 distinguishes the results of its two versions: 1,393 immats in "N" and 1 174 in "S", that is to say a total of 2 567 which places the twin in V in front of the FZ1.

Respectively fourth and seventh best sales of the year, the Bandit 650 and GSR600 allow Suzuki to keep the lead of the manufacturers’ standings in "more than 125". And its GSX-R1000, sold in 1,745 copies (first sports car) is a significant support for the brand..

The presence of a second Superbike in the annual top 15 – the Yam R1 with 1,581 admissions – and that not far from the Honda CBR1000RR (1,294 admissions) prove once again that French bikers are not yet ready to give up thrills … And this despite the announcement of 2,500 additional radars within five years and the toughening of the crackdown on bikers (read).

After all, don’t English bikers who ride around 6000 radars (automatic and mobile) favor sporty models? In order, their top 10 consisted at the end of November of the Suz GSX-R1000 (2,151 immates), Honda Lead 100 (2,092), Yam YBR125 (2,040), Yam R1 (2002), Suz GSX-R750 (1 928), Honda CBR1000RR (1,896), Yam R6 (1,895), Suz GSX-R600 (1,704), Honda CBR125R (1,630) and Kawasaki ZX-6R (1,496) !

But in France, mid-capacity roadsters remain the favorites. Although the Tmax still manages to seduce some owners of the A: 4 124 license in 2007. Yamaha also places its FZ1 at the top of sales of "more than 750" and maintains its 2nd place, without keeping the same market share….

Honda passes 4th

As in 125, the French number one – all cylinders combined – saw its PDM slip below 19%, a consequence of its sales drop of 3.4% while the whole of the "more than 125" market progressed in the reverse direction of 3.5%. But as in 125, the tuning forks brand remains a good distance from 3rd, which is no longer Honda….

With its double Z750 / ER-6, Kawasaki climbed the podium 2007 with a total of 18,329 registrations, an increase in sales of 8.5%. Complementary, the 4-cylinder "bigger than a 600" and the twin-cylinder in-line "easier than a 4-legged" allowed the Greens to register more than 15% of PDM and especially, to double the number one global !

The latter recorded a decrease of 6.6% of its registrations compared to 2006 and must regret not having wanted – or could, or thought? – lower the price of its Hornet 600 earlier … Its CBF1000 is following the FZ1 (2,241 units in 2007) but its Deauville is further behind.

In 2008, the Japanese giant will try to revive its sales with its Transalp, CBF600, CB1000R but also its DN-01, an original concept halfway between the scooter and the motorcycle. Will the French be tempted? To observe the growing market share of scooters in the "over 125" market (11.4% in 2007 against 8.7% in 2006 and 7.6% in 2005), the bet is not impossible. Just daring, but still less than MP3 !

Question maxi-scooters, Yamaha wins again with its stainless Tmax: sold in 4,124 copies, it obtains the 9th place in the "scratch" (all-displacement classification) ahead of the Majesty 125, the Hornet and the X9 125 !

Maxi scooters accelerate

The Burgman 650 and 400 are respectively 2nd and 3rd maxi-scoots, but 50th and 62nd in French sales. Then follow the Yamaha Majesty 400 and Xmax 250 (73rd and 77th) then the Piaggio MP3 250 and 400 (103rd and 115th).

The Satelis 250 is 185th with 243 registrations and the 400/500 have not been released for long enough to appreciate their fair value. However, Peugeot can have good hopes in them: Piaggio, thanks to its MP3s and its Vespa GTS 250 in particular, increased its sales by 31.6% compared to 2006 and is now in 10th place among motorcycle manufacturers in " more than 125 " !

But behind the four Japanese still remain the motorcycle specialists, "real ones"some will say…

BMW thus remains firmly clinging to its 5th place. The Bavarian increased its sales by 1.5% but dropped a few hundredths of PDM in the face of a market whose general increase was 3.5%. Its R1200RT nearly matched its 2006 score but its R1200GS lost ground … Would customers wait for the 2008 version? Response soon in the Site reports !

The "westerners" progress

Constantly increasing since 2003, Harley-Davidson completed 2007 with a satisfactory + 15.4% which enabled it to gain half a point in PDM: 4.56% over the year as a whole. For two years, the "Customs Choppers" sector in France has been gaining ground on "Road" and "All-terrain" … Logic that the American should take advantage !

Great animator of last fall, Triumph ended the year in freewheeling mode, its little Street Triple no longer arriving quickly enough from England to meet French demand … Still, the Hinckley firm has completed the year 2007 on a thunderous + 47.1% and gains a place in the ranking (7th).

In addition to the reaffirmed success of its Speed ​​Triple (1,183 sales in 2007 against 1,076 in 2006), we note that Triumph has succeeded in effectively reinvesting the segment of mid-capacity roadsters. Forgotten the Speed ​​Four: this time the English were able to stand out from their mainly Japanese competition by declining its Triple 675.

An English threatens the Japanese ?

The Street Triple has finally succeeded in shaking up the Z750, Fazer, GSR and Hornet … But from here to unseating them all and completely, there is still a long way to go. To be continued…

Downgrading one place despite an increase in PDM (3.88% in 2007), KTM becomes the 8th manufacturer in France. Its best sales remain its enduro models (EXC-R 300 and 450), but its small 690 SM nevertheless achieves a good performance with 329 sales in ten months..

Even if the drop in the "All-Terrain" sector is smaller than it seems (the 9.9% in 2007 apply to a larger total volume than the 11.6% in 2006), the Austrian is venturing more and more on the roads in search of new PDMs and will even be present on the Superbike tracks with his RC8 in 2009…

Almost starting from the same point in 2003 as Harley (with 3,229 registrations at the time) and KTM (2,999), Ducati (3,161 immats still in 2003) surprised by the stability of its sales curve: at the end of 2007, the Borgo Panigale brand had registered 3,191 motorcycles.

In 2008, will the new Monster 696, the n ° 1 adorning the MotoGP of Casey Stoner and the battle of Bayliss and Biaggi in the World Superbike, allow Ducati sales in France to come out of their torpor? Suspense !

Finally, among the little ones, let us note the good performances of Gilera and its wild Fuoco and GP800, Peugeot which starts in the sector, MV Agusta, Enfield and the Italian-Chinese Benelli. As for Voxan, the French brand comes out of the top 30 with 55 registrations … while waiting for the GTV 1200 ?

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