TRIPLE REGISTRATIONS TORMENT
Blaming a third consecutive monthly dose of diminished registrations on poor weather would be the easy option. But, of course, the devil is in the detail. Headcount has been fairly weak throughout 2024 and is now getting steadily weaker. And August would have been traditionally thin anyway before MCIA data illustrated the extent of emaciation this time around. BDN financial editor Roger Willis reports.
Total registrations dropped by 5.8% to 7735 units. Within that, motorcycles were 3.6% down to 5599. Over-50cc scooters fell by 15.3% to 1574. Mopeds, for what they’re worth (not much), actually boasted 6.2% growth to 516. Trikes plunged by 20.7% to a mere 46. Internal combustion mainstream bread and butter shrank by 6.3% to 7382. Battery electric stuff increased by 5.7% to 353. All but seven of them were bottom-rung products in the up-to-11kW mobility slot.
Sticking with the ICE mainstream, up-to-125cc mobility and delivery fleet numbers serving life in the slow lane were 6% down to 3253 units. Some 210 samples of Yamaha’s NMax 125 scooter took August’s fleet accolade, challenging recent Honda PCX 125 hegemony. Progress could only be found in the budget-oriented 126-500cc segment, 19.3% up to 1312. Leadership there came from Triumph’s Speed 400 best-seller yet again.
Beyond that, minus signs ruled the roost. The 501-750cc segment suffered a 5.8% decline to 877, headed by input from Honda’s CBR600RR. The 751-1000cc segment was 15% down to 1119. Best-seller was Yamaha’s MT-09 SP. And finally, the premium 1000cc-plus segment dived by 23.2% to 821, with BMW’s R1300 GS sitting on top of that particular pile.
August’s best-selling brand chart pretty much reflected the gloom pervading the trade and applauded those lucky few who dodged losses. A 19.8% sales slump spoiled Honda’s regular domination. Yamaha got off lighter, just 3.3% down. Then in sharp contrast, Triumph celebrated the second month of its new financial year with 53.5% growth. Chinese flag carrier Lexmoto did all right too, topping the moped segment thanks to best-seller Echo 50 models and flaunting overall sales which were 34.7% higher.
Serried ranks of dunces followed. BMW Motorrad sank by 23.3%. KTM, afflicted by dealer difficulties in both the UK and throughout Europe, was 21.1% down. Royal Enfield’s recent recovery ran out of steam as sales faded by 11.8%. The two remaining Japanese contenders fared worse. Kawasaki sales plunged by a painful 41.7%, and Suzuki was adrift by 27.6%. However, MotoGB’s Chinese Keeway brand delivered an endgame redeeming feature, rising by 19.6%.
For the eight months of 2024 to date, overall registrations have fallen by 2.1% to 78,836 units. The petrolhead contingent is also 2.1% down on 76,225, and electrickery is 1.4% in arrears on 2611 units. No doubt dealers are now praying fervently for some respite in September’s new-plate seasonal swansong.