August 2022 Registrations

UK 

08/09/2022

After three months of remorseless double-digit percentage decline, MCIA statistics covering August surprised with a very mild dose of registrations positivity. BDN financial editor Roger Willis reports.

The traditionally weak monthly total was just 2.7% up to 8841 — an additional 234 machines. Within that, motorcycles added a mere 0.3% to 5821. Scooters rose by 7.6% to 2350 and mopeds put on 7.8% at 597. Trikes grew by 10.6% to 73.

As for capacity classes, up-to-125cc mobility and fleet delivery products improved by 2.9% to 4766. The 126-650cc sector, spanning high-end mobility and smaller enthusiast/leisure machinery, was best performer, 11.7% up at 1586 bikes plated. But large and more profitable 651cc-plus motorcycles suffered, 2.6% down to 2489.

Versus August last year, winners and losers among leading brands were more mixed than usual, as available inventory probably helped some but suckered others. At the sharp end, Honda registered 8% fewer machines. Samples of its top-selling PCX125 scooter accounted for 30.3% of the overall tally. Yamaha fared far worse, 18.6% down, and bragging only of 651-1000cc engine band supremacy thanks to a modest headcount of 62 MT-07 ABS machines.

BMW Motorrad did very well, surging by 24.9%. The brand’s premium-priced R1250GS Adventure — a cash cow if ever there was one — was responsible for a fifth of all BMW registrations during the month, besides winning highest registered style category and over-1000cc engine band accolades. Sworn enemy Triumph, on the other hand, fell by 12%, as its dealers awaited imminent secret-squirrel new model releases. Chinese budget mobility provider Lexmoto also slipped slightly by 2.4%.

A trio of manufacturers with smiles on their faces then followed. KTM climbed by 13.2%. But it was closely pursued on volume and beaten on growth by Royal Enfield, which stacked on 20.9%. Highest-registered respectively in the custom and modern classic categories, Meteor and Classic 350 models took a 53.2% share of Royal Enfield’s market presence.

Trailing a long way behind on numbers, Piaggio nevertheless enjoyed a 22.5% boost. However, it was only one solitary steed ahead of the formerly Italian but now Chinese MotoGB-distributed Benelli brand making a rare chart visit. Ignominiously rounding out the top-ten listings, Kawasaki plunged by 29.9%. The inventory cupboard must be pretty bare in Bourne End.

Although the cost-of-living crisis driven by crazy energy prices has to be putting increased pressure on demand, inadequate supply was still the primary restraint in August. Dealers deserved applause for moving whatever stock they could get through showrooms and into the hands of customers.

But over the eight months of 2022 to date, registrations growth has now deteriorated to 5.9% — 83,821 new bikes on the road. Whether the trade will be sufficiently equipped to meet orders in September’s crucial new-plate bonanza, and whether demand will actually hold up at the present level, are moot points. Don’t hold your breath.    

UK 

03/10/2022

August was a promising month for the Power Two-Wheeler (PTW) market, showing growth in the majority of sectors. An overall summary of the market revealed new registrations increased 2.7% in August, with 8841 total registrations and a 5.9% increase year to date (YTD).

Mopeds saw a 7.8% increase in new registrations during August 2022, recording 597 total new registrations.

The motorcycle sector documented a minor increase in new registered vehicles (2.3%), equating to a 5.8% increase YTD. Touring motorcycles were the largest contributor to this growth, with a 29.9% increase in new registrations, while modern classic motorcycles also increased new registrations by 14.8%. On the other hand, custom sales had a poor month with a -28.6% decrease in new registrations.

The only sector, in relation to style, which suffered a decline in new registrations YTD was the tricycle sector which saw -6.9% new registrations. Although they had a negative YTD percentage, the sector experienced a 10.6% increase during August 2022.

Within the engine band sector, 0-50cc vehicles received a significant increase of new registrations in august, 18.2%, as well as 126-650cc vehicles, which increased registrations by 11.7%. Alternatively, the over 1000cc sector proved unsuccessful in August in registering a -6.1% decrease in new registrations.

The high success of the power band sector came largely from 4-11kw vehicles, with 1272.7% more new registrations, selling 151 vehicles in August. In addition, 11-15kw vehicles showed an extremely positive increase in new registrations, recording 1366.7% YTD.

Notably, when the UK two-wheeler market background information was analysed, it was unveiled that motorcycle rider test passes are currently the highest they have been in years (48.6 thousand).

Honda was the highest selling brand in the two-wheeler market, during August, with 1,509 registering vehicles. Their Honda PCX 125 dominated the motorcycle market, with a total of 457 registered. The highest selling EV in the power band, during August, was the NIU NQi GTS CARGO which totalled 76 registrations by the end of the month.

Symon Cook, head of NMDA, commented on this month’s MCIA new registration figures, saying, “August showed positive signs in the Power Two-Wheeler market, especially in comparison to the poor figures recorded in previous months. The positive signs coming from the EV sector, especially the 4-11 kw and 11-15kw categories, is a sign of more product range and availability in today’s market.”

Cook also acknowledged success in individual vehicles saying, “The Maeving RM1 is another good news story for British manufactured PTW’s, with sales of 55 units in August.”