The comparison with January 2010 figures is distorted by the availability of governmental incentives in 2009

January figures are discouraging, especially if we compare them with those recorded in January 2010, still strongly affected by the registrations of vehicles purchased at the end of 2009 under the incentive program in force at the time.

Sales of vehicles over 50cc totalled 13,375, with a drop of 34.4% over the previous year. The incentive campaign conducted in 2009 specified that the sale contract had to be signed by 31 December 2009, but the deadline for the registration was 31 March 2010. January 2010 achieved a double-digit increase precisely due to the deliveries of vehicles sold at the end of 2009. This year, dwindling volumes reflect the lack of incentives. In particular, scooters suffered the steepest drop with 7,990 units, down by 43%, while motorcycles declined less dramatically, with 5,385 units, -15.7%. The month of January accounts for about 4% the total for the year.

“The first month of 2011 did not reverse the disappointing trend of the year just ended and no signs of recovery may be discerned - points out Corrado Capelli, Chairman of Confindustria ANCMA (National Association for the Bicycle, Motorcycle and Accessory Industry) - “at the moment, prospective buyers prefer to wait and see, and put off the purchase of new vehicles until they can get some insight as to the way the economy is evolving. A lively second hand vehicle market shows that the problem lies primarily in the unavailability of income to be devoted to the purchase of new vehicles. We hope we can consolidate the positive economic indicators,” – Capelli goes on to say – “which, in fact, do exist and should enable us to emerge, at last, from the tunnel of the crisis.
The manufacturers show confidence and present new vehicles to diversify and enrich their product range, in the hope of stimulating people's desire for 2-wheel vehicles. And another factor that should not be overlooked is the need to renew the vehicle park, especially in the light of the recent traffic bans prompted by the presence in the air of fine particles exceeding the established limits. Indubitably, the new generation vehicles can greatly reduce the emission levels and therefore promoting the replacement of obsolete vehicles helps to improve the quality of the air. Our wish” – concluded the Chairman – “is that both the government and the main regional administrations will be sensitive to this theme and will foster targeted initiatives to this end.”

From an analysis of the scooter market in terms of engine size, we find that results were least negative for vehicles from 300cc to 500cc: with 3,178 units, these vehicles declined by 28.1% and were the biggest segment. To the detriment of smaller displacement scooters, such as the 125cc (2,148 registered units, down by 49.8%), the 150-200cc (1,752 units, -53.9%) and the 250cc scooters (821 units, -41.2%).

Sales of motorcycles over 1000cc actually improved, with 1,591 units sold (+2.5%), and, albeit with lower volumes, even 300cc and 500cc motorbikes achieved an 11.4% increase over the previous year with 645 units. 600cc motorbikes fell steeply with 384 units (-45.7%), and sales in the other engine size segments also declined: 650-750cc with 790 units (-34.4%), 800-1000cc with 1,242 units (-9.6%). Finally, 125cc bikes sold 448 units (-25.3%).

In a breakdown by segment, first place, in terms of volume, goes to road-going enduro motorbikes with 1,790 units (-3%), followed by naked models with 1,383 units (-29.1%) and sport bikes with 611 units (-40.7%); essentially stable, custom bikes sold 522 units (+0.9%); supermotards declined with 407 units (-28.8%); excellent results were reaped by touring bikes, with 442 units registered (+45.4%).

Sales of mopeds totalled 3,561, with a drop of -13.7%.

If we consider the totality of powered 2-wheel vehicles (registered + 50cc) we get 16,936 vehicles, down 30.9% compared with the previous year.