A snapshot of key motorcycle industry share performance at the trading closure on 20 February
USA
Harley-Davidson issued its full-year and Q4 financial results on 10 February. The figures were weak and, in response, the share price struggled to gain traction, dropping from $20.78 to $20.21. LiveWire, Harley’s electric motorcycle spin-off, fared better, rising from $2.29 at the release of the Q4 figures to $2.61, before dipping in the following week’s trading.
Polaris Industries, having disposed of the Indian Motorcycle core operation, is moving fast to streamline elsewhere. The company has announced plans to close its Wisconsin powertrain manufacturing plant in Osceola by the end of 2026, affecting 200 employees. Osceola currently produces engines and components for motorcycles, snowmobiles and ORVs. As previously reported, engine production for Indian Motorcycle models will be concentrated at Spirit Lake, Iowa, where more than 500 staff are currently based. Polaris retains a minor stake in Indian, which may extend to some supply.
EUROPE
Although free-float euro-denominated share availability is questionable, interest in Bajaj Mobility stock and, therefore, KTM’s revival is growing via its Frankfurt listing. The Swiss Franc listing in Zurich has also climbed slightly. The same cannot be said for Piaggio Group shares in Milan, which are barely static.
JAPAN
Japanese stocks jumped to record highs after prime minister Takaichi Sanae’s landslide win in a snap general election. This stood as the biggest election victory in Japan’s post-war history. Tokyo’s Nikkei 225 Average initially rose by as much as a dramatic 5.7%. Most amusingly, a Japanese financial reporter revealed that, as a young woman, Ms Takaichi had taken a liking to motorcycles, even showing up to admissions interviews astride her Kawasaki. Honda shares surged to ¥1671.50; Suzuki peaked at ¥2378.50; and Kawasaki touched ¥18175.00. Only Yamaha kicked off on the back foot. But they all settled down in the following week.
INDIA
Bajaj Auto may be banging its growth drum in Europe, but stronger quarterly performances by its domestic competitors in India have detuned the party. Hero MotoCorp, TVS Motor, and Royal Enfield’s parent, Eicher Motors, were all boasting about their sales figures. Mahindra had nothing to say about its retro BSA brand, but apparently its SUV manufacturing arm was able to make some excuses.
CHINA
CFMoto has not only returned to UK distribution but also has claimed to be the third-largest brand selling off-road vehicles and motorcycles in the USA market, with more than 700 dealers. And although not strictly speaking Chinese, the Taiwanese brand Sanyang Motor (SYM) is now Taiwan’s largest listed manufacturer of small motorcycles and scooters, with a long-established distributive relationship through the UK’s MotoGB.
Trading on both the Shanghai and Shenzhen stock markets is currently suspended during Chinese New Year celebrations.