The NMDA has described the February registration figures as “another positive move forward, highlighting the return of consumer confidence and spending power”.
NMDA head Stephen Latham comments: “February is generally a quiet month in volume terms for motorcycle sales, with buyers holding back to take delivery of the new ‘15’ plate. Many of the sales in February will come from the less plate-status buyers of commuter motorcycles, such as scooters and lower powered naked machines.
“Recently with continuous growth in the motorcycle market, sales are returning to normality after five years of decline. It is hoped that registrations for this March will prove to be further boosted by the larger capacity prestige machines where the new number plate value will improve future residual values. These more expensive motorcycles are a key to dealerships’ success and profitability as they are often bought by more established experience buyers who are prepared to order their new machine with many manufacturers options and accessories and they usual offer the dealer a low mileage, high-quality part exchange, thus assisting the dealers used motorcycle sales volumes.
“A general improvement in both the economy and employment figures is reflecting well on bike sales. We hope to see this trend continue throughout 2015”.
As previously reported, sales in most power ranges increased in February, with the only real exception being the sub-50cc mopeds, which showed a 20.7 per cent fall. As with previous months, the 51 – 125cc sector showed an increase of 12.4 per cent, as the biggest sector in volume terms, which means 207 more machines were registered over February 2014.