As traditionally the first high-volume month, thanks to a plate change, March at least showed modest positivity. But we’ll have to wait for the season to get into full swing before any signs of firm recovery become apparent, reports BDN financial editor Roger Willis.
According to MCIA data, total monthly registrations were 4.7% up to 15,208 units. But that tally was 8.6% down on March 2016 and 6.6% lower than 2015 — so nothing special to shout about.
Brightest note was a 14.2% rise for scooters to 2326. Motorcycles added 5.4% to 12,411. Mopeds slumped by 36.4% to just 381, in the ongoing wake of last autumn’s Euro 3 preregistrations surge. Highest registered 0-50cc product was a cuckoo, because 25 samples of Torrot’s MUVi scooter were actually electric appliances.
Among other capacity brackets, 51-125cc machines put on 3.2%. The 126-650cc sector was healthiest by far, boasting 55.8% growth, while 651-1000cc stuff was 13.8% down. Over-1000cc increased by 4.1%. BMW’s R1200GS represented almost 10% of all the bikes in that slot, dominating both the engine band and Adventure Sport style category.
There were some big surprises among top-ten brand rankings. Honda hung onto leadership but lost 1.2% against March last year. BMW grabbed runner-up status, although it was also down — by 7.8%. However, Kawasaki blasted up into third with an impressive 43.5% improvement. Yamaha sank to fourth spot after a 7.9% retreat and Triumph was relegated to fifth, its numbers dropping by 12.4%.
Suzuki turned in a spectacular resurgence, climbing by 120.4% into sixth place. Harley-Davidson managed to add 2.9% in seventh. KTM was another star, 51% up in eighth. Ducati shifted 7.7% fewer bikes but crept into ninth. Chinese champion Lexmoto, which had completely fallen off MCIA radar this time last year, surfaced again to round out the list.
See the full March registration data.
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