High petrol prices lead to bike popularity
High petrol prices have turned into a record 64,186 motorcycles, scooters and all terrain vehicles being sold to the end of June 2008, a 6.6 per cent increase on the same period in 2007.
“It’s encouraging the motorcycle market continues to show resilience in the face of higher interest rates and general economic turbulence,” said Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries chief executive Andrew McKellar.
The fastest growing segment of the market was in ATVs, sales of which rose by 10.3 per cent to 9732 units for the June half year, down from the exceptional growth of 15.2 per cent for the March quarter.
The most popular motorcycles were cruisers, with sales of 6765 units, ahead of enduro, which sold 6538 units, 250cc road bikes which sold 5061, motorcross bikes, which sold 4899 units, and sports bikes, which sold 4260.
Honda was the number one brand, accounting for 23.9 per cent of the total market, ahead of Yamaha, with 21.2 per cent, Suzuki, with 12.9 per cent, and Kawasaki, with 8.5 per cent.
Honda also dominated the road bike market, achieving 21.2 per cent share ahead of Harley-Davidson, on 16.2 per cent, and Suzuki, with 16 per cent. BMW accounted for 2.9 per cent of the road bike market.
Scooters were also popular, recording 7.6 per cent growth fore the six months to June with sales of 7613
“The resurgence of the scooter market reflects commuter concerns over the prospect of rising petrol prices,” said Mr McKellar.
The popularity of Harley-Davidson shows that the motorcycle market is maturing, while the ongoing popularity of scooters shows that people are voting with their hip pocket nerve in the face of higher petrol prices.
Are you considering riding a bike or a scooter to combat higher petrol prices? Or do you already ride a bike and are going to ride it more to offset the higher petrol prices?
Joshua Gliddon