June 2024 registrations

Registrations rot unstoppable?

We could use the weather as an excuse. Or perhaps not. But honesty simply underlines the UK market stagnation many of us have been banging on about for ages. BDN financial editor Roger Willis reports.

According to MCIA data for June, total registrations fell by 5.8% to 12,734 units, equating to 784 fewer PTWs leaving dealer showrooms in the month. Motorcycles were 2.4% down to 10,010. Scooters fell by 18.9% to 2173. Mopeds slipped by 0.8% to 487. Trikes declined by 36.6% to 64. Overall petrolhead tally was 5.9% lower on 12,299. The trivial battery-electric contribution dropped by 3.8% to 435 units.

Sticking with mainstream internal combustion technology that feeds the vast majority of dealers, disappointment started in the up-to-125cc mobility and delivery sector, which fell by 15.2% to 3811 units. Honda’s PCX125 scooter took the fleet crown, thanks to 310 units plated, for a third consecutive month.

Yet again, a solitary shining star of satisfactory growth came from the 126-500cc segment. Whether its adherents are a few newbie A2 licence holders, budget enthusiasts or upmarket scooterists, who really cares? There were 2233 of them, a muscular 23.6% increase. Notable purchases included 248 Royal Enfield Himalayan 452 and 78 Royal Enfield Meteor 350 products, plus 244-strong Triumph Speed 400 input.

The 501-750cc slot managed to stay shiny side up too, by a narrow 3.3% margin and 1594 sales. Some 162 samples of the new Honda CBR600RR took best-selling honours.

Larger capacity classes were negative. The 751-1000cc firmament declined by 14.4% to 2457, which must have been a very mixed assortment, given the best-seller was Triumph’s Street Triple RS, just 132 of them.

Premium 1000cc-plus machines were 6.2% down to 2204. A swansong slice of 344 BMW R1250 GS Adventure steeds were the headline sales act, pursued by 273 much cheaper Kawasaki Ninja 1000SX models. Current Boxer GS muddy luggage pluggers are now scheduled for replacement by a radically updated R1300 GS Adventure, with three versions spanning price points from £18,870 to a minted £21,300. But Motorrad dealers evidently won’t be able to enjoy much benefit from their debut until late in Q4, when this year’s selling season will have faded away.

June’s best-selling brand chart was all over the place. In order of achievement, Honda led the way, but with a 12% sales reversal. Triumph followed, gaining 13.2%, as it urged stock through showrooms in the final month of its financial year ending on 30 June. Yamaha, which took the final podium step, wasn’t so fruitful, a grievous 19.3% in arrears.

Also on the back foot, BMW Motorrad sales fell by 13.5% – shamed by a magnificent 80.4% upwards lunge from Kawasaki. Team Green has obviously banished its past European supply-chain woes. Sixth-spot Royal Enfield also had a good month, adding 17.1% through successfully improved distribution.

Roger Willis

BDN financial editor 

PTW market sees another month of contraction

June marks another month of contraction in what is proving to be a year of fluctuation and uncertainty for the new two-wheeler market”, says Symon Cook, head of National Motorcycle Dealers Association (NMDA), commenting on the latest MCIA figures.

In June, total registrations decreased by 5.8%, from 13,518 to 12,734 units. Within those figures, motorcycle sales fell by 5.8%, , while moped registrations increased by 0.8% to 487 units. Year-to-date figures show a slight decline of 0.7% for total registrations.

The various categories of motorcycles exhibited a wide range of performances. Modern classic witnessed growth of 23.4%, and road sport rose 25.7%. However, nakeds saw a significant decrease of 16.4%.

Electric two-wheelers saw a substantial contraction of 3.8% from 452 to 435 units. Despite this, year-to-date figures still display a slight increase of 0.2% for electric from 1924 to 1927 units.

In terms of the different ICE capacities, the 126-500cc category witnessed growth of 23.6%, whereas the larger engines saw a decrease, with 751-1000cc contracting by 14.4% and 1000cc+ contracting by 6.2%.

Honda has once again emerged as the best-selling brand of the month, with 2097 units sold, followed by Triumph (1649) and Yamaha (1285), whilst Ducati rounded out the top ten with 363 models sold.

Cook concluded: “With the results of the general election now clear, there are certain challenges in the two-wheeler market which the next government will need to immediately address. Much like the weather this summer, the market has been uncertain, with year-to-date figures slightly below the corresponding period of the previous year.

“In the build-up to the general election, the NMDA released its manifesto, which included five key ‘asks’ to the new Labour government, including providing a clear pathway for the decarbonisation of L-category vehicles and streamlining licensing and training for younger riders.

“With the election now over, the NMDA looks forward to working with the new government on these core issues over the coming months and years, which will be vital for our industry to ensure robust growth.”