April 2023 Registrations

Widespread anecdotal evidence during April had already pointed to an increasing scarcity of showroom footfall, now confirmed by a significant slump in MCIA statistical data as we move into what is supposed to be our peak selling season. BDN financial editor Roger Willis reports.

Overall registrations sank by 13.1% to 9848, more or less on par with pre-pandemic numbers for 2019’s fourth month. Motorcycles were 5.4% down to 7515. Scooters plunged by 31.3% to 1841 and mopeds lost 35.5% at 401. For what it’s worth, some 91 trikes represented growth of 16.7%.

Across all petrolhead capacity classes, volume was 11.6% lower on 9512. Up-to-125cc products spanning basic mobility, entry-level and delivery-fleet destinations took the most punishment, falling by 28.3% to 3128.

The 126-500cc and 501-750cc sectors respectively suffered relatively minor declines of 3.3% to 1587 and 1.7% to 1379. However, 751-1000cc machines, boosted by an influx of attractive new budget-priced steeds such as Honda’s CB750 Hornet, improved by 15.2% to 1747. Premium over-1000cc machines dropped by 8.8% to 1671. Uninterrupted deterioration for the battery-electric market saw shrinkage of 40.9% to a mere 336 units.

Available inventory, or lack of it, clearly skewed performance for best-selling brands. Honda topped the rankings as usual but was 11.4% down despite three highest-registered models in their respective engine bands. Runner-up Yamaha copped a 15.4% retreat. Triumph occupied the final step of the podium with a 4.1% rise.

Having probably overcome supply-issue hangovers from March’s new plate, KTM put on 43.3% and BMW added 37.6%, to complete the top five. Conversely, Royal Enfield was 24.7% in arrears, even though it’s Super Meteor 650 twin and bargain-basement Hunter 350 earned various sales accolades. And similarly, Kawasaki’s headcount plummeted by 35.5%, despite a decent Ninja 1000SX showing. In both cases, a paucity of stock would have been the excuse.

Ducati made a guest appearance in eighth spot, without benefit of any year-on-year comparison. Suzuki, now helped by some desirable and budget-oriented bikes, followed with an 8.2% gain. Lexmoto was tail-ender, a painful 48.7% down.

After finishing Q1 in marginal negativity, total year-to-date registrations are now 4.2% lower at 37,870. Mercifully, petrol-fuelled products are only 0.6% adrift.