The new motorcycle market has displayed expected signs of recovery. However, the NMDA is still disappointed with the overall negative total registration numbers compared to 2024”, says Symon Cook, head of the National Motorcycle Dealers Association (NMDA), commenting on the latest MCIA figures.
“New registrations for March, while negative compared to 2024, closed the month down by 22.1%, a slight improvement compared to January and February which were both more than 30% negative compared to 2024. In February, the figures had dropped to -32.3%.
“Road registered competition bikes was the stand out in the market as the only category to enjoy a gain compared to 2024 – up by 2.2%. All other style categories were negative, the best being modern classics, an increasingly important segment, which was down by 5.0%. Electric power trains also made a strong recovery in March, closing the month at 5.7% down, significantly improving the year-to-date performance to -16.3% compared to -26% at the end of February.”
Cook concluded: “The figures are a positive turnaround for the new motorcycle market, although considering March was the plate change month, the market was expected to receive an additional boost.
“When compared with 2024’s figures, the total registrations remain disappointing and suggest a continuing decline. However, this may change with the upcoming warmer weather.
“Should total registrations continue their decline, it is essential for the government to address the uncertainty in the sector and provide greater clarity on motorcycles in transport policy. The NMDA is hopeful that the motorcycle market will return to previous year’s volumes.”