The European powered two-wheeler market fell by 23.8 per cent to 228,845 units in the first quarter of 2013, according to data from manufacturers’ association ACEM. Over-50cc motorcycle and scooter registrations were down by 22.7 per cent and mopeds lost 26.5 per cent.
Southern European countries suffering from dire economic conditions were inevitably among the worst-afflicted. Italy dropped by 37 per cent, Greece by 31.3 per cent and Spain by 22.4 per cent.
But things weren’t much better further north, mainly due to harsh winter weather. Germany was down by 16 per cent, France by 21 per cent, Poland by 32.8 per cent, Holland by 24.4 per cent and Austria by 25 per cent.
In contrast, our 10.4 per cent quarterly decline in the UK looks like a blessed relief.