Although the growth rate was more restrained in April, this year’s upbeat trend continued in latest MCIA statistics. BDN financial editor Roger Willis reports.
Total monthly registrations rose by 7.3% to 9820 units. Moped revival was headline news, 64.2% up to 609. Motorcycles added 4.8% to 7450 and scooters improved by 4.2% to 1680. Even the modest tricycle sector had a commendable slice of progress, boasting a 37.3% rise to 81 machines.
The market always pauses for breath immediately after March’s traditional new-plate surge. And perhaps this was slightly exaggerated by weaker stock availability and late arrival of certain key new models, which would possibly explain a sudden 8.2% decline for over-1000cc offerings. All the same, the storming success of BMW’s R1250GS topped both that slot and reinforced its ownership of the burgeoning Adventure Sport style category once again.
In happy contrast, both the 126-650cc and 651-1000cc capacity classes grew comfortably faster than already decent first-quarter performances, respectively climbing by 18% and 10.4%. But 51-125cc products managed only a thin advance of just 1.7%, following a creditable gain of 12.5% over the previous three months.
And on the subject of segmental best-seller status, Royal Enfield’s accession to both 126-650cc and Naked style pantheons for a second month on the trot, thanks to its attractive new Interceptor 650 twin, bolstered the argument for budget pricing. Lexmoto regularly underlines a similar message on the podium top step of rejuvenated moped sales. Conversely, at an opposite extreme of luxury goods, Ducati’s premium-priced Panigale V4 enjoyed Supersport supremacy — as it did in April last year.
However, some disruptive influences remained evident in brand rankings. Honda hegemony was undisturbed and 7.5% up. But runner-up Yamaha, still months away from the debut of its potential cash-cow XT700 Ténére, retreated by 2.3%. BMW slipped to third spot in both April and YTD numbers, despite strengthening monthly performance by a muscular 20.3%. Triumph, on the other hand, was lacklustre, falling by 12% in fourth place. Kawasaki rounded out the top five, bouncing back from its 6.2% first-quarter loss with a solid 13.4% gain.
In sixth, Lexmoto was outright star turn, stacking on 67.4%. Shrinkage of 1.1% by KTM in seventh abruptly interrupted its recent trajectory. Harley-Davidson fared far worse in eighth, plunging by 20.4%, even though its Sport Glide 1745 had headed up the Custom category. Ducati made a second consecutive appearance in the top-ten chart, this time with a much firmer 11.7% improvement in ninth place. Suzuki was last on the list, a painful 23.4% down. The retro Katana reincarnation now finally reaching dealers may change its fortunes shortly.
In the four months of 2019 to date, total registrations have risen by 9.4% to 36,951. Motorcycles are 8% up at 28,185, scooters have put on 11.9% to 6682 and mopeds have increased by 26.2% to a still fairly slim 1857. Tricycles were 7.1% higher at 227. Â
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