EUROPEAN BIKE MARKET UPDATE

Latest statistics from European motorcycle industry organisation ACEM show that powered two-wheeler sales across the continent are still deteriorating, albeit at a slower rate.
 
In October, total PTW sales were down by 6.4 per cent to 79,368 units. Within that, the 50cc moped sector was worse, falling by 17.3 per cent.
 
For the ten months of 2013 to date, overall numbers have dropped by 14.1 per cent to 1,067,746 units. Over-50cc machines are about 11 per cent in arrears while mopeds have declined by 20 per cent. Three countries — Austria, Germany and the UK — have positive results in the over-50cc bracket, respectively by five per cent, 1.4 per cent and 0.4 per cent.
 
Year-to-date performance for total PTW sales on a leading individual country basis is all negative — France (-14.5 per cent), Germany (-4.5 per cent), Italy (-28.5 per cent), Poland (-17.3 per cent), Spain (-9.7 per cent), Netherlands (-13.2 per cent) and the UK (-2.5 per cent).