Monthly reviews – 2018 motorcycle and scooter market: successful first half for France – Page 1 – June 2018: after the rain, the good weather!

Motorcycle and scooter market 2018: successful first half for France

Monthly reviews - 2018 motorcycle and scooter market: successful first half for France - Page 1 - June 2018: after the rain, the good weather!

The first half of 2018 went well for the French motorcycle market: in six months, 91,520 registrations were recorded (+ 6.7%). The 125 cc accelerated well, but the big engines stood out with their best score of the last ten years… Balance sheet !

Page 1 – June 2018: after the rain, the good weather !

"The first half of the month was marked by very active rain-storms, often accompanied by torrential rains and hail and locally causing flooding", recalls Meteo France in its own report for June 2018.

Despite pleasant temperatures (+ 1.8 ° compared to seasonal norms, according to Meteo France still), motorcycles and scooters therefore remained at the beginning of the month in their garage … or for new models, at dealerships !

Fortunately, "the very contrasted rainfall and concentrated over the first fortnight was on average consistent with normal over the country and over the month," assure the weather experts. Business was therefore able to resume during the second fortnight. Phew.

In the end, sales of motorcycles (motorcycles and scooters of 125 cc and more) exceeded those of June 2017 … by 120 units: 20 633 last month against 20 513 a year ago! For the record, the sixth month had been so hot last year that French bikers had succumbed to a "buying fever": + 23.3% for large cubes !

June 2018: 20,633 motorcycles (+ 0.6%)

In 2018, motorcycles over 125 cc and maxiscooters were barely less successful: 14,405 machines found buyers, or 250 less than in June 2017 (-1.7%). Yamaha’s dominance wasn’t as overwhelming in June as it was last May, but it remains, impressive.

The fight for the other two steps of the podium continues between Honda – on the rise – BMW – on the decline – and Kawasaki – in freewheeling -: the three manufacturers ranking in this precise order in June. In small form, Suzuki remains – far – behind Harley-Davidson and Triumph, but ahead of the dashing KTM and the disappointing Ducati. Finally, note the appearance of Indian in the monthly Top 10 and the health of "other" brands (+ 28.6% overall).

As for the 125 cc, if the heat of June 2017 had kept customers away from the dealerships, the recent updates of – three – models extremely popular with the French have helped revive the activity: 6,228 scooters and small motorcycles were registered last month (+ 6.3% Vs June 2017).

In this sector, Honda retained the advantage in June 2018 despite a decline in sales … and an increase in those of Yamaha. Piaggio – very busy with these MP3s! – consolidates its third place in two-wheelers 125, far ahead of Sym, Peugeot, Mash and Kymco who are all struggling to be in the Top 5. KTM and Suzuki are fighting a little lower and must beware of new small brands like Orcal or Brixton

The details and the complete analysis of the evolution of the market during the first half of 2018 are available on the following pages for our Premium subscribers: good reading !

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