Market reports – First half of 2014: Suzuki’s market report – Used SUZUKI

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First half of 2014: Suzuki’s market report

Market reports - First half of 2014: Suzuki's market report - Used SUZUKI

Suzuki has just completed the first half of 2014 with an increase of + 1.9% with 6,280 registrations. The marketing manager of the Japanese brand in France, Dominique Li-Pat-Yuen, gives his impressions to Site readers. Review and interview.

Site: The French motorcycle market is on the rise again in … Is it thanks to good weather, new products, dealers, demo vehicle registrations, poor scores from previous years ?!
Dominique Li-Pat-Yuen (Marketing and Communication Manager Suzuki France) : It is true that the first months of the year were positive for the motorcycle market. These figures can be explained by several factors:

  • The weather which was much better than last year and which therefore encouraged customers to enjoy their motorcycle earlier

  • The many new products that appeared at the start of the year stimulated the desire to buy

  • The dynamism of dealers who were thrilled to find traffic in points of sale.

This bodes well for the industry, but we must take a step back on this because the months of and have already been much less encouraging. This is compared to who had been boosted by better weather, but it may mean that the buys were simply anticipated earlier in the season. We will do the accounts at the end of the year, but we expect a stable cumulative market or a slight increase by the end of the year compared to 2013.

MNC: For you, what is the highlight of this first half of the year? ?
D. L.-P.-Y. : On the one hand, the renewed interest in motorcycles very early in the season, which gave balm to the hearts of our dealers, who are happy to find passage. On the other hand, the arrival of the was an important moment for Suzuki. Both dealers and customers, this model was eagerly awaited. We were lacking in the range of a good comfortable and versatile roadster that could satisfy long-haul enthusiasts who were also looking for a motorcycle with an adventurous image. It is now done and the V-Strom 1000 is enjoying great success with the second place in the trail market..

MNC: Regarding Suzuki, what is your assessment of your first six months 2014 ?
D. L.-P.-Y. : We are satisfied with this first semester which has been encouraging. We are up more than 5% all vehicles combined Vs 2013. The roadster segment remains predominant for this new season and in such a competitive sector, the is still doing well by being third in the category of mid-range roadsters , with an increase in sales of 7% compared to 2013 even though we are out of stock on the main colors. The continues on its way and we should reach 1400 units over 12 months.

In the trail segment where we arrive with a second model, the V-Strom 1000 is positioned as the second best seller. Which is good for a motorcycle that is coming back to the segment and for which we are going to increase its notoriety. For the 650 version, the also secures a second place without commercial action.

Concerning the cruisers, we are doing a hit, both on the but especially on the which is experiencing a second wind thanks to its new black / yellow color called Boss. Our sales are up 78% for our Intruder range.

In the sports segment, the volumes are in line with the evolution of the segment. However, the is again the bestseller in the category in 2014, ahead of much more recent machines..

Finally on scooters, the rest the benchmark for GT maxi scooters. The is very competitive because there are many novelties of close or similar cubic capacity, but we record a progression of 36% for this model. The started its career very well with volumes up 70% compared to the old model and above all a sales level identical to its main competitor, which was not the case on the old version.

MNC: How is your second semester going? ?
D. L.-P.-Y. : We will be in our volume forecasts for the end of the year, that is to say an increase of the brand of around 5% in volume and a turnover reported to the dealer up 8 at 10% due to the improvement in the product mix. However, we are looking for solutions to obtain additional volumes and figures for our network. But very likely, the market will settle in the second half of the year. Besides that, we are already in the preparation of the range and the 2015 season. Knowing that Cologne will be at the end of September this year and that we will unveil several novelties, we will welcome you with great pleasure on our stand !

MNC: Finally, lowering speed limits on the roads make you fear a decrease in the attraction of the French for motorcycles and scooters? ?
D. L.-P.-Y. : Limitation reductions have not yet been confirmed, we are only talking about tests on certain portions for the moment. But of course, the regulatory context can greatly influence the enthusiasm for motorcycles. After that, it would be a decrease of 10 km / h and I do not think that customers would refuse to afford a motorcycle that remains an object of pleasure, passion and freedom..

Interview by Matthieu BRETILLE

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