ACEM news
Powered two-wheeler registrations decrease by 3.2% in January on a year-on-year basis
17 Mar 2015

A total of 54,210 PTWs were registered in January 2015 in the EU. This represents a decrease of 3.2% compared to the 56,015 units registered in January 2014.  

 The UK, the Spanish and the Italian markets performed positively, with registrations increasing by 11.2%, 9.5% and 2.6% respectively. Registrations went down in France (-10.3%) and Germany (-14.7%).

Motorcycle registrations grew by 0.7% in January on a year-on-year basis. A total of 38,490 motorcycles were registered in January 2015, against 38,215 in January 2014. Year-on-year motorcycle registrations increased in key European markets including the UK (+14.5%), Spain (+11.7%), Italy (+7.1%). Registrations decreased in France (-8.5%) and Germany (-13.7%).

A total of 15,725 mopeds were registered in January 2015 in the EU, whilst 17,800 mopeds had been registered in January 2014. This represents a decrease of 11.7%. Registrations fell by 4.3% in Spain, 9.7% in the UK, 13.2% in France, 17.5% in Germany and 19.1% in Italy.


Documents available to download

ACEM - Statistical press release - January 2015.pdf [0.27 MB]

ACEM comments on the European Commission's Communication on an Energy Union
27 Feb 2015

Following the publication of the European Commission’s Communication on “A Framework Strategy for a Resilient Energy Union with a Forward-Looking Climate Change Policy”, the European Association of Motorcycle Manufacturers, ACEM, welcomes the Commission’s plans to improve the deployment of alternative fuel recharging infrastructure.

According to ACEM’s estimations, only between 1% and 2% out of all L-category vehicles registered in Europe in 2014 were electric models. Ensuring that the adequate infrastructure is in place could substantially increase consumer acceptance of vehicles running on electricity or other alternative fuels. Moreover, the European Commission should do its utmost to include an explicit reference to the Type 3a plug standard in Directive 2014/94/EU on the deployment of alternative fuels infrastructure.

ACEM manufacturers are carrying out in house development projects on electrically- and hydrogen-propelled vehicles, as well as hybrid models. However, if the EU is to “become a leader in electro-mobility” further European support should complement industry’s efforts in this area. This should be done through funding for research and demonstration projects aimed at informing citizens.

ACEM also believes that there is need to have similar incentives across the EU in order to support market uptake of vehicles running on alternative fuels. L-category vehicles should benefit from the same support measures dedicated to other means of transport, and support schemes should be similar in all European countries.

Commenting on the Commission’s Communication, ACEM Secretary General Antonio Perlot said: “L-category vehicles are smaller, lighter and more specialised than other vehicles. They reduce traffic congestion, bring significant environmental benefits and are a perfect candidate for running on alternative fuels. However, if the share of alternatively fuelled vehicles is to increase, decision-makers will have to achieve three major objectives: a higher availability of charging infrastructure, more public support for research projects, and providing adequate incentives to consumers”.


Documents available to download

ACEM comments on the Communication on an Energy Union.pdf [0.23 MB]

Note for editors. ACEM, the Motorcycle Industry in Europe, is the professional body representing the interests and combined skills of 14 manufacturers of L-category vehicles (mopeds, motorcycles, tricycles and quadricycles) and 18 national associations. The sector accounts for 150,000 jobs across the European Union.


Press contact

For further information or to receive future ACEM news and press releases please contact Manuel Ordonez de Barraicua, ACEM communications officer on +32 (0)22 30 97 32 or by email at

Powered two-wheeler registrations increase 1.8% year-on-year in December
19 Feb 2015

A total of 1,145,940 PTWs were registered during the first twelve months of 2014 in the EU. This represents an increase of 1.8% compared to the 1,125,750 units registered between January and December 2013.

The Spanish, the UK and the German markets performed positively, with registrations increasing by 17.2%, 10.6% and 2.8% respectively. Registrations went down in France and Italy (-1.1% and -1.5% respectively).

A total of 801,600 motorcycles were registered against 747,850 for the first twelve months of 2013. Year-on-year motorcycle registrations increased in key European markets including Spain (+20.6%), UK (+12.2%), Germany (+9.1%), France (+3.5%), and Italy (+1.5%).

Moped registrations continued to decrease. Between January and December 2014, a total of 344,300 mopeds were registered in the EU, whilst 377,900 had been registered in the same period of 2013. This represents a decrease of 8.9%. Registrations fell by 1.3% in the UK, 3.7% in Spain, 7.4% in France, 15.5% in Italy and 17.3% in Germany.


Documents available to download

ACEM - December statistical press release.pdf [0.27 MB]

Commissioner Bieńkowska announces launch of the new CARS 2020 Action Plan
12 Feb 2015

The launch of the new CARS 2020 Action Plan for automotive industry was announced on 4 February 2015 by Elżbieta Bieńkowska, Commissioner responsible for Internal Market, Industry, Entrepreneurship and SMES.

The new Action Plan will help foster competitiveness of the automotive industry and guide the sector through the ongoing mobility revolution.   

Following the previous successful CARS 2020 process, the new plan aims to help the sector face new challenges stemming from technological changes, globalisation and a new approach to mobility that requires a coordinated approach on the EU level.

The plan, which will cover a period of two years, aims at re-shaping the position of the European automotive sector and give it a proper direction for future development. A High Level Group with a broad participation of the Commissioners and Member States will be created.

The new process focuses on two main objectives: strengthening the competiveness of the automotive sector, both in Europe and externally; driving the sector through the ongoing mobility revolution and making Europe the key player and trendsetter in the domains of innovative modes of transport and intelligent transport systems.

Further details as well as the very final structure of the process will be discussed during the next meeting of the Competitiveness Council at the beginning of March 2015.

PTW users, policy-makers and industry discuss road safety during the 2015 EMF
06 Feb 2015

The Federation of European Motorcyclists' Associations (FEMA) hosted on 2 and 3 February the 2015 edition of European Motorcyclist Forum.

The two-day event took place in CEN-CENELEC premises and the European Parliament.

The discussions focused on the results of the RIDERSCAN project, an initiative funded by the Commission with a triple objective: to gather existing information on motorcycle safety in the EU, to create a cross-border knowledge-based network and to discuss possible European safety actions.

During the event Inés Ayala Sender MEP, Wim van de Camp MEP, and representatives from the European Commission together with other stakeholders discussed the role of motorcycling in European transport policies, the European Commission priorities on road safety as well as the recommendations of the OECD/ITF report on motorcycle safety.

All the pictures of the event are available here. The presentations delivered during the seminar as well as the report on the RIDERSCAN project will be available at FEMA’s website.

New ACEM motorcycle safety strategy
23 Jan 2015

The safe ride to the future, is ACEM's new motorcycle safety strategy to further improve safety levels for motorcyclists in Europe. This forward-oriented strategy follows an integrated approach covering vehicle technology, users training and infrastructure safety, among others.

Looking into the future: intelligent transport systems

As part of this new strategy, ACEM members have signed a Memorandum of Understanding on cooperative Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS), i.e. safety systems that allow for communication between vehicles and between vehicles and infrastructure.

ACEM members commit to have at least one of their models available for sale with a cooperative ITS feature by 2020. Moreover the industry will carry out research on an eCall system for motorcycles, i.e. a system that generates emergency calls from a crashed vehicle instantly after a collision has occurred. 

Better training for riding safer

With regard to training of riders, ACEM and the German Road Safety Council (DVR) have joined forces to promote high quality voluntary post-license training schemes across the EU through a ACEM-DVR Quality Label.

This new partnership between the two organisations aims at helping European riders to easily identify high-quality training schemes available to them.  

The need for more tailored safety policies

ACEM will also organise a series of workshops in different European countries to identify and promote measures to improve road safety at national, regional and local levels. These meetings will bring together key stakeholders including public authorities and riders’ organisations.

The areas to be discussed will include, among others, development of more effective safety policies, design and maintenance of road infrastructure, and promotion of compliance with traffic rules. 

A long-term commitment to road safety

The safe ride to the future builds on previous safety initiatives such as ACEM members’ commitment to voluntarily fit all of their new vehicles with automatic headlamps on, the signing of the European Road Safety Charter and the decision to fit 75% of street motorcycle models with an advanced braking systems as an option or as standard fitting by 2015, in advance of respective regulatory requirements.

Documents available to download

ACEM road safety strategy - Executive summary [pdf]

ACEM road safety strategy - full version [pdf]

Chapter 1 - Vehicle technologies [pdf]

Chapter 2 - Intelligent transport systems [pdf]

Chapter 3 - European training label [pdf]

Chapter 4 - Conclusions and policy recommendations [pdf]

 

Jaguar-Land Rover and Volvo present new technologies to make motorcyclists, cyclists and drivers safer
23 Jan 2015

On 20 January Jaguar Land Rover announced that they are developing a range of new technologies that would use colours, sounds and touch inside the car to alert drivers to potential hazards and prevent accidents involving motorcycles and bicycles. Earlier this month, Volvo Cars and POC demonstrated a wearable cycling tech concept at International CES in Las Vegas.

Sensors on the car will detect when another road user is approaching and identify it as bicycle or motorbike. Bike Sense will then make the driver aware of the potential hazard before the driver sees it.

To help the driver understand where the bike is in relation to their car, the audio system will make it sound as if a bicycle bell or motorbike horn is coming through the speaker nearest the bike, so the driver immediately understands the direction the cyclist is coming from. Moreover, the system would intelligently prioritise the nearest hazards so the driver would not be overwhelmed or distracted with light or sound. Bike Sense will also help prevent vehicle doors being opened into the path of bikes when the vehicle is parked.

Bike Sense would warn all passengers of an approaching cyclist, motorbike or car through sound and light inside the vehicle. If any passenger continues to open the door, the door handle will light up, vibrate and buzz to alert them to the danger.

VVolvoolvo Cars and POC demonstrate wearable cycling tech concept at International CES 2015

Earlier this month, Volvo Cars and POC demonstrated a wearable cycling tech concept at International CES in Las Vegas (6-9 January 2015). The technology consists of a connected car and helmet prototype that will establish 2-way communication offering proximity alerts to Volvo drivers and cyclists and thereby avoid accidents.

Using a popular smartphone app for bicyclists, like Strava, the cyclist’s position can be shared through the Volvo cloud to the car, and vice versa. If an imminent collision is calculated, both road users will be warned – and enabled to take the necessary action to avoid a potential accident.

The Volvo driver will be alerted to a cyclist nearby through a head-up display alert – even if he happens to be in a blind spot, e.g. behind a bend or another vehicle or hardly visible during night time. The cyclist will be warned via a helmet-mounted alert light.  

 

Powered two-wheeler registrations increase 1.4% during the first eleven months of 2014
19 Jan 2015

A total of 1,103,300 powered two wheelers (PTWs) were registered during the first eleven months of 2014 in the EU. This represents an increase of 1.4% compared with the 1,087,600 units registered between January and November 2013. 

The statistical release in pdf format can be downloaded here.

A total of 1,103,300 PTWs were registered during the first ten months of 2014 in the EU. This represents an increase of 1.4% compared to the 1,087,600 units registered between January and November 2013.

The Spanish, the UK and the German markets performed positively, with registrations increasing by 16.6%, 10.5% and 2.3% respectively. Registrations went down in France and Italy (-1.2% and -1.7% respectively).

Between January and November 2014, registrations in the motorcycle segment grew by 6.9% compared to the same period in the previous year. A total of 774,100 motorcycles were registered against 724,000 for the first eleven months of 2013. Year-on-year motorcycle registrations increased in key European markets including Spain (+20.2%), UK (+12.1%), Germany (+8.4%), France (+3.5%), and Italy (+1.3%).

Moped registrations sales continued to decrease. Between January and November 2014, a total of 329,200 mopeds were registered in the EU, whilst 363,500 had been registered in the same period of 2013. This represents a decrease of 9.4%. Registrations fell by 1.6% in the UK, 5.5% in Spain, 8.1% in France, 15.6% in Italy and 16.9% in Germany.

The full release in pdf format is available here

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