Beleaguered British dealers may find some solace in discovering that their continental cousins are, on the whole, also struggling to generate sales as the market comes to terms with stagnant economies, a generally uncertain and cautious outlook by consumers and the continuing fallout of mass pre-registrations at the end of 2024.
Among the big five European motorcycle markets it is Germany that is taking the biggest hit, with first-quarter sales a whopping 41% down on 2024. This makes the ACEM-reported 26% decline in UK sales seem somewhat less onerous. The French and Italian markets are significantly contracted too, by 22% and 12% respectively. The only national market to show a glimmer of progress is Spain, which eked out a 1.5% improvement in the first quarter.
Moped markets are down across the board, by proportions ranking from the relatively minor (Spain, down 4.1%) to the disastrous (Italy, down 41.6%).
Commenting on the current situation, Antonio Perlot, ACEM secretary general, said: “Long-term trends in the European market confirm steady growth for motorcycles and some stagnation for mopeds. Overall, it is important to continue supporting the sector’s competitiveness, through policy recognition of L-category vehicles’ mobility advantages and support for innovation at European level.”