Motorcycle sales steady in 2014

Road motorcycles continue to be a popular choice in 2014, with Australians purchasing 10,744 new road motorcycles in the third quarter of 2014—bringing the year-to-date total to 32,416. The 32,416 sales represent a 3 per cent increase on September 2013 sales.

Releasing the 2014 third quarter motorcycle sales figures, FCAI Chief Executive Tony Weber said Australians purchased 79,548 new motorcycles, all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) and scooters between January and September 2014; only slightly less (0.8 per cent) than in the same period in 2013.

“Road motorcycles accounted for 40.8 per cent of the 79,548 sales. Off-road motorcycles accounted for 32.5 per cent of sales, ATVs accounted for 19.6 per cent and scooters accounted for 7.1 per cent,” Mr Weber said.

“Honda led the volume race in the road motorcycle market, selling 20 per cent of the total 32,416 road motorcycles sold. Honda was followed closely by Harley-Davidson with 18.4 per cent of sales. Kawasaki came in third, selling 13.4 per cent.

“Yamaha was the leading brand in the off-road motorcycle market, selling 28.7 per cent of the 25,823 off-road motorcycles sold. Yamaha was followed closely by Honda with 24.5 per cent of sales and KTM with 16.8 per cent. Total sales in this segment declined 3.5 per cent, compared to January to September 2013 sales figures.

“ATV sales for January to September 2014 increased 4.4 per cent compared to the same period in 2013. Polaris was the largest selling ATV manufacturer for this period, selling 24.9 per cent of the total 15,620 ATVs sold. Polaris was followed by Honda with 23.8 per cent of the ATV market, and Yamaha with 16.6 per cent.

“Scooter sales continue to decline, with January to September 2014 figures down 19.1 per cent compared to the same period in 2013. Piaggio was the top seller in the scooter market, selling 16.9 per cent of the total 5,689 scooters sold in the January to September 2014 period. Vespa came in second with 14.3 per cent of sales and Honda came in in third with 12.8 per cent.”

Overall, Honda was the leading volume manufacturer between 1 January and 30 September 2014, with 21.7 per cent (17,261) of motorcycle, ATV and scooter sales. Honda was followed by Yamaha with 17.5 per cent (13,954) sales, Kawasaki with 9.9 per cent (7,888) and Suzuki with 8.7 per cent (6,919).