Market reports – The motorcycle market takes a break –

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The motorcycle market takes a break

Market reports - The motorcycle market takes a break -

Capricious weather, French MotoGP riders to encourage at Le Mans, 2008 models preparing – more or less secretly – for their arrival at the Paris Motor Show: in May, the motorcycle dealerships were somewhat abandoned… Balance sheet.

The market for 125cc and larger two-wheelers closed the month of May with an "increase" of 0.2%, or 61 additional sales compared to May 2006 for the same number of working days.

On more or less rainy weekends – Sylvain Guintoli and Randy de Puniet still remember it (read) – the announcements here and there of 2008 novelties and the elections (?) Have somewhat removed the French bikers from the concessions.

Thus, for the first time since the summer of 2005, sales of the 125 have stagnated. Or almost, since there has only been a slight increase of 2.7% from a sector that has so far experienced a double-digit growth rate !

12,508 registrations of 125 in May 2007 against 12,181 in May 2006: this slight increase may seem trivial, but without the good results of Yamaha, Sym and the "other" brands, the small-displacement would have posted their first negative result since March 2005 (read) !

Side large-displacement, the number of sales of May 2006 was not reached last May: with 13,849 registrations, the sector of "more than 125" records a decrease in sales of 1.9% compared to the year last, but keeps its pace over the first five months.

Japanese brands had a difficult month in May, while in lower sales volumes, Westerners fared much better. Two exceptions however confirm the evolution in each camp: Kawasaki – which takes the lead in sales by model with its Z750 – and BMW.

Market 125: 12,508 units (+ 2.7%)

The overall development of 125cc sales remains positive but for the first time since spring 2005, the sector has seen its main players fall … Only Yamaha, which is at the top of sales, is up 16.7% compared to May 2006, the tuning forks brand for a 22% market share. With 2,750 sales, Yamaha crushes its direct competition: Piaggio (2,118) and Honda (1,420)…

Yam’s master asset, his XMax still sold 1,322 copies, more than double the second best-selling scooter in France: the Suzuki Burgman, which totals 636 sales! However, the Yamaha Majesty is not left out: with 509 sales, it ranks 4th best seller in 125cc and ensures its brand its number one place..

The only motorcycle to resist the invasion of GT scooters, the new Honda Varadero had a satisfactory month: 789 registrations compared to 642 last year at the same time. A performance all the more remarkable as the second motorcycle is in 16th place in sales of 125: it is the Suzuki VanVan, registered in 197 copies..

Still on motorcycles, the CBR125R is 20th best-selling 125cc with 173 registrations ahead of the Shadow – again Honda! -, 23rd with 137 registrations and the Yam XT125, 32nd with 100 registrations.

But these scores are four to five times lower than the best scooters, which enjoy a much higher customer potential. !

Suddenly, Honda’s results plunge: -34.7% in May! The absence of a GT scooter in its range is sorely felt … Fortunately for the world number one, its S-Wing arrives in concession in June: better late than never !

Piaggio, whose plush products correspond perfectly to the target of "motorists", nevertheless recorded a decline of 1.7%. Its X9 and X8 keep up the pace of their 2006 sales (484 and 424 respectively), but its MP3 is slowing down slightly: 342 sales compared to 377 in January, when the three-wheeler was third best seller … its sales should be followed closely !

Suzuki saw its sales stagnate last month: 8 units less than in May 2006, a negligible drop of 0.9%. Its new Burgman figures prominently (3rd best selling 125cc), but the excellent score of the Suzuki scooter in May 2006 (670 sales, read) minimizes its good 2007 result..

Suzuki could have been worried about its ranking – 5th in the aggregate of the first five months -, but finally took advantage of a drop in the speed of its two direct competitors to grab 4th place. Because in May, the two French manufacturers looked gray…

First of all, MBK, which recorded a drop in sales of 17.3% and once again remained below the 5% mark of PDM. Its Skycruiser may hang on to 10th place in the 125cc ranking, but it cannot limit the reduction in the brand’s sales..

For its part, the Peugeot Satelis (644 sales all versions combined) does not manage to repeat its exploits of last year. A predictable decline in health, since 2006 was its launch year! Thus, Peugeot Motocycles signs a "small" month of May 2007 (-12%) but remains 4th in cumulative sales since January…

The only manufacturer to post a three-digit growth rate, Sym sold 552 vehicles, including 243 GTS. Taiwanese sales therefore soared 173.3% in May. We expected no less from the official partner of the International Aeronautics and Space Show, which will be held from June 18 to 24, 2007 at Le Bourget..

Far behind with 352 registrations, Aprilia continues its year of roller coaster: after the first two months of the year on the rise then the following two on the decline, the Lion of Noale is regaining strength: + 6% in the month of May 2007. To watch !

The situation is clearer on the side of Daelim and Kymco. The increase in registrations of the first in March (35.1%) gradually turned into a drop of 21.1% in May, resulting in a cumulative 2007 sales (1,220 in five months) equal to that of 2006 (1,217).

For their part, Kymco registrations continue to decline compared to last year (-18.6% in five months), fully illustrating the competition from other manufacturers – especially Chinese – which recorded an increase in their registrations of +57 , 7% in May and + 83.5% since January !

In order, Yiying has sold 190 units, Gilera 185, Hyosung 184, Sky Team 179, Fym 101, Jonway 89, Keeway 82, Kawasaki 76, JMStar 64, Zhongneng 61, Baotian 60, Kinroad and Shineray 57, KTM 53, Revatto 52 and Derbi 45.

Large engine market: 13,849 units (-1.9%)

After three months of timid increase (less than 2%), the sector of more than 125cc recorded a decrease of 1.9% in May 2007. Nothing worrying for the big cars which escape from the concessions in greater numbers than the 125, but not all manufacturers are in the same boat…

Kawasaki is the only Japanese manufacturer to see its sales increase compared to last year. There are figures that do not deceive: with + 12% for the Greens, no doubt that the new Z have arrived !

With 1,034 sales in May, the new "seven-and-a-half" (read) takes the lead in sales of more than 125cc ahead of the Fazer 600 (749) which overtakes the ER-6 (574) year-to-date: 2,602 sales for the Yam and 2,534 for the Kawa twin.

The new Z1000 (read) is also taking full advantage of its launch to take the lead in models over 750cc. With 373 registrations, the new Kawa maxi-roadster beats the FZ1 (297) and the CBF1000 ABS (294).

Thanks to these two novelties, Kawasaki climbed the third step of the constructors’ podium in May, but still remains far from Honda in the 2007 sales ranking: 7,198 against 8,287. The world’s leading manufacturer also recorded a decline last month. not insignificant of its sales…

In addition to its CBF1000, only its new Hornet 600 is in the top 15 of the best French sales. Fourth of the mid-displacement roadsters, would the exemplary road performance of the new Honda be hampered by a design too different from the old model? ?

Still, the Japanese giant suffered for the second consecutive time a decrease of 14% of its sales: with 15.32% of PDM since January 2007, Honda lets escape Yamaha and Suzuki !

The two Japanese leaders closed their 5th month slightly down: -3.7% (2,925 sales) for Suz and -4.4% (2,675 sales) for Yam. On a year-to-date basis, Suzuki therefore slightly increases its lead, totaling 21.56% of PDM against 20.19% for Yamaha..

In the ranking of sales by model, it is nevertheless Yamaha which is illustrated with five models in the top 15 against four less well placed motorcycles for Suzuki. However, you have to take into account the differentiation of the "Naked" and "S" models of the SV650. Because if it offers a gain in precision compared to its competitors, this distinction prevents the twin from appearing in 9th place in sales by model (304 sales in all).

Behind the Japanese manufacturers, BMW signs a decrease in May (-11.7%). With 916 registrations, the Bavarian drops below the 7% mark-up mark, including the cumulative amount of the first five months. Its R1200 RT achieves exactly the same number of sales as in May 2006 (252) but its R1200 GS, K1200 GT and F800 S and ST are losing ground compared to last year.

Should the high price of German motorcycles be held solely responsible? The results of other Western manufacturers – at prices also higher than those of the Japanese – tend to prove the opposite … Because while sales of Behemia decline, those of Harley-Davidson go up by + 14.6%, those of Triumph by + 10.6% and those of KTM by + 26.5%…

For its part, Ducati sold ten motorcycles less than in May 2006, so much so that the Italian lost 0.03% of market share. Nothing to be alarmed about, on the contrary, since since January 2007, Ducati has suffered a greater drop in sales.

On the other hand, registrations of Piaggio continue to increase (+ 23.2% last month) and the second Italian reaches almost the 200 scooters delivered. In eleventh position, Aprilia (131 sales) will have to wait for the release of its Shiver 750 in September 2007 to retaliate (read).

Finally, in May 2007, the "other" manufacturers recorded a further drop in their sales: but no, the Chinese have not yet launched into the large-engine sector! Thus, Moto Guzzi sold 113 "more than 125cc", Buell 81, Gas Gas 64, Peugeot 62, Beta 45, Husqvarna 39, MV 37, Sherco 36, Gilera 34, HM 33, Kymco 23, Scorpa 18, Sym 17, Benelli 13, Montesa 12, Enfield 11 … and Voxan two.

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