24.5.2013 – Youth unemployment has heavy impact on entry level PTW sales. A protracted rainy and cold climate in April has delayed the start of the motorcycling season. Dramatic unemployment statistics for European Youth are also impacting sales, especially in the entry level segments. These combined factors have contributed to keep the motorcycle market down in April, at -18.2% year to date.
24.5.2013 – Youth unemployment has heavy impact on entry level PTW sales. A protracted rainy and cold climate in April has delayed the start of the motorcycling season. Dramatic unemployment statistics for European Youth are also impacting sales, especially in the entry level segments. These combined factors have contributed to keep the motorcycle market down in April, at -18.2% year to date.
The group of 21 European countries monitored by ACEM for its quarterly report is still suffering from the effects of five consecutive years of decline with 369.130* vehicles sold for the first four months of 2013, compared to 451.547 in 2012.
The usual spike in sales, which coincides with the onset of the spring, has not materialized, posponed by bad weather conditions all over the EU. This decline however can largely be attributed to the economic context. Diminishing motorcycles and scooter registrations can be linked to the growing unemployment rates of young people all across Europe. An endemic lack of disposable income and work perspectives are reducing youth’s capacity to access convenient and flexible transport.
April Powered Two-Wheeler sales in Europe totalled 140.285 units, with year to date sales at 369.130*. In the first four months of 2013 motorcycle registrations fell 15.4%, while moped sales were down 24.3%.
Compared to March the magnitude of the drop has slowed somewhat down. Germany was able to halve the losses accumulated till March (-16%) -7,4%. Similarly Austria recovered from a staggering -25% to a -8,8%, well above EU average. France -18,3%, Poland -21,8%, The Netherlands -22.1%. Italy with -31,2%. Spain -15,6%, Greece -32,6%. Figures refer to all categories (2-, 3- and 4-wheeled L-category vehicles).
*Moped data for Belgium not available.
