Surprising as it may seem, the UK powered two-wheeler market was the only thing remotely resembling a ray of sunshine across the EU during 2012, according to full-year sales data from European motorcycle manufacturers’ association ACEM. Overall, European PTW sales fell by 12.6 per cent to just over 1.3 million units, the fifth consecutive year of decline and the lowest figure in living memory. Within that, the 50cc moped sector dropped by 16.6 per cent while higher-capacity machines fell by 10.6 per cent.
But registering a very marginal 0.1 per cent decline to 93,450 units, the UK stood out as a comparitive beacon of hope against far more severe declines in larger markets elsewhere. Worst afflicted was Italy, suffering a 22 per cent dive to 257,979 units. Spain also took a hammering as sales plummeted by 19 per cent to 115,447 units. France was down by 10.6 per cent to 296,315 units — still the biggest national total. Only Germany minimised its pain with a modest 3.4 per cent reversal to 178,087 units.
Nevertheless, Italy held onto its status as leader of the scooter-selling countries, shifting 190,675 units including those in the 50cc sector. France followed with 173,486 units, in front of Spain on 80,607 units, Holland on 63,146 units and Germany on 60,103 units. The UK accounted for 33,551 units in this bracket. Some 46 per cent of scooters belonged to the 50cc sector, 31 per cent were 125cc products and 23 per cent were over 125cc.
Commenting on the figures, ACEM said: “Far from being over, the economic crisis is wreaking havoc on the motorcycle market. A situation of uncertainty across the EU, linked to declining purchase power, greater unemployment and the absence of measures encouraging growth or consumption has kept buyers away from dealerships over the past year.”
The organisation also noted that 2013 has started on a downward trend, with January delivering an 18.5 per cent decline in PTW sales across Europe — although much of that was attributable to harsh winter weather.