Motorcycle sales heading further south

Australia’s motorcycle market fell 1.2 per cent in the first quarter of 2018, with all the market categories except for scooters affected by the slight decline.

Data released today by the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries revealed 21,614 motorcycles, ATVs and scooters were sold during the first three months of 2018, compared with 21,886 for the same period in 2017.

Honda was the overall leader with a 22.5 per cent share of the national market, followed by Yamaha with 19.4 per cent and Kawasaki (10.8%).

Across the industry segments, the decline in the road motorcycle category was the most at 2.6 per cent. Within this category, Honda climbed to market leadership with a 21.5 per cent share, followed by Harley-Davidson with 18.9 per cent, and Yamaha with 16 per cent.

Off-road category sales fell 0.5 per cent compared with the first quarter of 2017. Yamaha maintained its market leadership with a 25.1 per cent share, followed by Honda with 23.3 per cent, and KTM (21.4%).

The ATV/SSV segment fell by just 0.2 per cent. Polaris was the market leader with a 31 per cent share, followed by Honda with 23.1 per cent and Yamaha (19.9%).

Scooters defied the market trend with a 2.9 per cent climb in sales during the first quarter. Piaggio held a 28.9 per cent share, followed by Honda with 24.2 per cent and Vespa with 21 per cent.