Sales figures declining slightly compared to last year

Registrations in May do not show a double-digit drop as in the previous months, but it’s too early to speak of a satisfactory result. With a 2.6% decline, we cannot claim the crisis is over, however, if we consider that in May 2010 the trend was -30%, we can speak of some signs of recovery or, at least, stability.

In the course of May, total sales came to 37,657 units, i.e., decreased by 2.6%. The trend was better for scooters with 26,092 vehicles (–1.9%), while motorbikes, with 11,565 units sold declined by 4.1%. The month of May accounts for ca 13% of annual sales.
The 50cc sector remained on the negative side, with 7,916 units (–13%).

“Market recovery is not as brisk as we hoped, but at least a double-digit volume haemorrhage has come to a halt – says Corrado Capelli, Chairman of Confindustria ANCMA (National Association for the Bicycle, Motorcycle and Accessory Industry) – we are approaching a situation of relative stability for the registrations, even though the current market scenario is not conducive to sales: record-high fuel and insurance prices, new taxes announced, low income availability mated to consumer credit difficulties, all these element contribute to hampering market growth. The next two months will be crucial in determining the way the entire year is going to develop, and, fortunately, all the new models presented to the public are available at the dealerships.
Moped sales have been falling for a long time and we hope that the need to mount a new licence plate, which entails a cost, will persuade the owners of the most obsolete mopeds to trade in their vehicles.”

Registrations during the first 5 months of the year add up to 132,490 vehicles, which translates into a 14.8% drop over the same period in 2010, when sales, it should be noted, where still boosted by a 10 million euro incentive program. Scooter sales totalled 85,651 units (–18.2%). Motorcycle sales fared slightly better, showing a 7.9% decline with a year-to-date figure of 46,839 units.

Trends by engine size did not vary. Scooters between 300 and 500cc sold 33,182 units, which translates into a 16.6% decline. Next came the 125cc models, with 26,747 units sold (down 12%). More pronounced were the drops recorded for 150-200cc and 250cc models, down 27.7% and 26.2%, respectively, with 16,924 and 7,598 units.

Motorcycles sales followed the habitual trend that sees maxi models over 1000cc at the top, with 14,730 units delivered, +6.7%. Motorbikes with 800-1000cc engines took second place, with 12,393 units, +0.6%. Then came medium sized models: 650-750cc with 8,952 units (-22.9%) and 600cc with 3,996 units (-30.9%).
A decline was also recorded for 125cc motorbikes, down 14% with 2.735 vehicles sold; an appreciable increase (+7.2%) was achieved, instead, by 300 to 500cc bikes, with a similar volume, 2,623 units.

A segment by segment analysis shows a highly diversified situation. In order of importance:
naked bikes, with 15,806 units declined (-11%); road-going enduro models declined slightly, with 12,434 (-3.4%). With 5,512 units resulting in a 7.7% improvement, custom bikes overtook the sports bikes, which did poorly: 4,879 units, -24.1%; touring motorcycles continued to grow, with 3,755 vehicles (+8.1%), and finally, supermotards suffered a setback, with 3,495 units (-21.3%).

Moped registrations from January through May did not go beyond 27,334 units, down 16.9% compared to 2010.

If we consider the totality of registered + 50cc vehicles we get 159,824 units sold, with a drop of 15.2% compared to the first 5 months of 2010.