Angela Goulding has served as managing director of commercial assets and powersports at inventory finance firm DF Capital since the beginning of the year. Goulding and her team play a crucial part in supporting dealers, manufacturers, and distributors in the motorcycle, marine, specialist automotive, and commercial assets sectors. They provide award-winning inventory finance and top-notch customer service to help businesses grow, as well as take advantage of current commercial opportunities.
The road ahead
“As we navigate through the twists and turns of the past year in the motorcycle market, we are seeing that a mixture of factors – such as economic uncertainty, interest rates, unpredictable weather and changing consumer perceptions – is adding complexity to the journey ahead.
The economy and rain!
“The UK’s interest rate environment, political uncertainty and a higher cost of living have undoubtedly impacted consumer spending behaviours. However, amidst this backdrop, some optimism is returning. The Bank of England cut interest rates in August, bringing them down from a 16-year high and this offers hope for improved consumer confidence and spending in the longer term.
“Our climate also plays a significant role. Last year, we had a very short summer season due to the late-running winter and a wet July and August – and this dampened sales somewhat. The weather this year has also remained unseasonable, with unpredictable sunny spells. It’s not quite what we were hoping for, as we tend to find that when the sun is out, and people have time off, they are often inspired to purchase a new vehicle and trade in their old one.
Trends
“One exciting opportunity we’re observing is the increasing interest in motorcycling among younger and more diverse groups. This emerging demographic presents a good chance for the industry to actively promote motorcycling as an inclusive and appealing activity for all ages and genders, moving beyond the outdated perception that it is primarily for older males.
“The electric powertrain segment is slowly growing, and we are currently supporting a number of specialist players. However, potential customers have concerns about range, speed, power, and charging infrastructure. That said, recent Department for Transport statistics reveal that 71% of journeys are less than four miles, so this shouldn’t really be an issue.
“The broader category of powered light vehicles, predominantly with zero/low emission powertrains, should appeal to those with a short commute, poorer public transport connections and limited parking space. They are efficient, produce fewer emissions, and are easy to park, making them an efficient and practical form of commercial and personal mobility.
A lot will hinge on what the government is doing to motivate the uptake of these vehicles, so it will be interesting to see what happens in the next year or so. Additionally, routes to market need to be addressed. If powered light vehicles are aiming at a different audience, they probably need to be sold and promoted in new ways – not just via traditional motorcycle retailers.
“From our perspective, this category has a lot of opportunities beyond the classic distributor network. Observing the current trends, it’s clear that manufacturers and distributors are looking beyond traditional channels to market and exploring other routes to attract a wider audience. For instance, people who own caravans or motorhomes could be interested in owning an e-bicycle to take with them on their travels. Partnerships with leisure vehicle retailers also present a promising way to expand the market, offering numerous opportunities for growth.
“We’re also seeing an upward trend in the use of electric mobility scooters, which fulfil a practical need for an ageing population. It’s a growth market, one that can benefit the lives of its users and it’s exciting to see further developments in this space.
Last word
“While challenges exist, there are significant opportunities for growth and innovation across the motorcycle sector. By embracing change, adapting strategies, and fostering collaboration, these dynamic sectors have a very bright future.”