ACEM news
EU and US must urgently de-escalate trade conflict, and return to non-punitive tariff levels as soon as possible
17 May 2021

ACEM welcomes today’s joint announcement by the EU and the US on addressing global steel and aluminium excess capacity and the decision by the EU to temporarily suspend, for six months, the doubling of tariffs on US-made motorcycles above 500cc, which were set to come into effect on 1 June 2021.

Despite this positive development, the EU’s Rebalancing Measures remain in place at 25%. This means US motorcycles still bear a 31% tariff, which has a considerable negative affect bilateral trade and on European motorcycle dealers and customers. Furthermore, the suspension of the additional 25% is a temporary measure which still threatens significant harm to the European motorcycle sector, if a resolution is not found in the next 6 months. Therefore, ACEM continues to call for the removal of motorcycles from the EU’s list of products impacted by rebalancing tariffs.

Motorcycles have no place in an unrelated trade dispute.

ACEM supports all EU and US efforts to urgently de-escalate this trade conflict, and to return to non-punitive tariff levels as soon as possible.

Press contact

Manuel Ordonez de Barraicua
ACEM communications manager
 
+32 496 52 65 17

Registrations of PTWs in largest European markets continue to raise in the first 3 months of 2021
04 May 2021

In the first three months of 2021, registrations of new motorcycles in five of the largest European markets (i.e. France, Germany, Italy, Spain and UK) showed an increase of 10.3% (197,856 units), compared to the same period of 2020. March’s strong results (+67.6%) managed to offset the negative trend shown in the first two months of the year (-29.8% in January and -12.8% in February).

The registration trends in the motorcycle segment vary considerably across the countries. Some as Italy (+47.3%) and France (+15.1%) registered substantial increases, while others such as the UK (-21.3%), Germany (-4.1%) and Spain (-0.5%) still lag behind 2020 figures. This is linked to the different form of lockdowns imposed across European countries in 2020, and to the fact that last year’s basis for comparison in some cases was exceptionally low.

The moped segment performed slightly better. In the six largest European moped markets (i.e. Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands and Spain), moped registrations reached 56,535 units, which represents an increase of 21.6% in comparison to last year’s figures.

Quote

Commenting on the current situation of the sector, Antonio Perlot, ACEM Secretary General, said:

“The registration figures for the first quarter of 2021 show that the sector continues to recover from the C-19 crisis, although at a different pace across Europe”.

“It would not be fully accurate to compare this year’s figures with the ones from 2020 since last year, a large number of dealerships were closed and several European economies were under lockdown”.

“If we look at 2019, arguably a more normal year, 2021 motorcycle registrations are still behind (-4.14%), whilst moped registrations show a substantial increase (+19%).

“This shows that whilst uncertainties persist for European economies, at the same time the market is reactive. The attractiveness and convenience of powered two-wheelers for urban and peri-urban commuting, within a sanitary context in which public transportation has not been deemed a safe option, is confirmed. Also, more and more consumers are opting for motorcycling when it comes to safe leisure activities, such as touring closer to home”.

Press contact

Manuel Ordonez de Barraicua
ACEM communications manager

+32 496 52 65 17

Documents available to download

ACEM - Statistical press release - January - March 2021 [PDF]

ACEM - Statistical press release - January - March 2021 [XLS]

ACEM - Statistical releases - FAQ [PDF]

ACEM - Statistical releases - Glossary [PDF]

Coalition of EU and US associations appeal to suspend retaliatory tariffs on unrelated sectors
29 Apr 2021

ACEM (Association des Constructeurs Européens de Motocycles – The Motorcycle Industry in Europe) and USMMA (United States Motorcycle Manufacturers Association) join the call on European authorities and US Administration to solve their differences without unduly impacting motorcycles.

A Coalition of 88 European and American associations has written to European Commission President von der Leyen and United States President Biden, supporting a suspension of the retaliatory tariffs in application, within EU-US ongoing trade disputes, hitting unrelated sectors.

The appeal by industry is made once again to build on the positive momentum of the suspension of tariffs imposed in connection to the World Trade Organization (WTO) disputes concerning civil aircraft subsidies for four months, hoping such agreement can be extended and built upon. The call is also made to overcome differences within the steel and aluminium trade dispute, in anticipation of the 1 June deadline and the application of further EU retaliatory measures, to avoid yet more collateral damage on unrelated sectors. Ultimately, the Coalition wishes a return to a positive, reciprocally rewarding transatlantic relationship, supporting economic growth and benefiting producers and manufacturers, their distribution partners, importers and consumers, and all associated sectors.

ACEM and USMMA join the call, as the motorcycle sector has repeatedly been unduly targeted within the EU-US trade escalation, over the last few years. US motorcycles are heavily impacted by the EU rebalancing measures devised in response to the US decision to impose a 10% tariff on European aluminium products and a 25% tariff on European steel products, as of 1 June 2018. Under Commission implementing regulation (EU) 2018/886, a list of US products, including motorcycles with a cylinder capacity above 500cc, have faced additional duties since 1 June 2018, when entering the EU.

As from 1 June 2021, European authorities are expected to double these additional customs duties, which will impose a 50% tariff on US-made motorcycles above 500cc, pursuant to Implementing Decision (EU) 2021/563 of the European Commission of 31 March 2021.

Quote

“This development confirms the urgency to suspend all additional tariffs on unrelated sectors, to avoid damaging escalations. We call upon the European Commission and the new US Administration to restart a positive transatlantic trade dialogue. We continue to strongly support a return to reason and for both parties to find a solution”, said Antonio Perlot, ACEM Secretary General.

Documents available to download

ACEM Press release - Transatlantic relationship: coalition of EU and US associations appeal to suspend retaliatory tariffs on unrelated sectors [PDF]

Coalition Press release - 88 European and American Organisations Urge EU and US to Remove Retaliatory Tariffs on Unrelated Products [PDF]

Coalition letter to President von der Leyen and President Biden [PDF]

Press contact

Manuel Ordonez de Barraicua
ACEM communications manager

+32 496 52 65 17

Electric vehicles: Helping consumers identify the right recharging option with standardised labels
01 Mar 2021

A brand new harmonised set of labels for electric vehicles and charging stations will start to be used throughout Europe as of 20 March this year, in line with the requirements of the EU Directive on the deployment of alternative fuels infrastructure (2014/94/EU).

As well as appearing on charging stations, the labels will be placed on all newly-produced electric mopeds, motorcycles, tricycles and quadricycles cars, as well as on vans, trucks, buses, coaches, in a clear and visible manner. The aim is to help consumers identify the right recharging option for their battery electric and plug-in hybrid-electric vehicles by harmonising labelling across the entire EU.

In order to assist both consumers and the operators of charging points to understand these new labels, a coalition of European vehicle manufacturers, charging infrastructure operators and the electricity industry have published informative brochures. These brochures, in Q&A format, explain the purpose of these labels, their design and in which vehicles they will appear.

The brochures are now available online at www.fuel-identifiers.eu, alongside information on the harmonised fuel labels for internal combustion engines which were introduced in 2018.

Documents available to download

Press release - Electric vehicles: Helping consumers identify the right recharging option with standardised labels [PDF]

More information

https://fuel-identifiers.eu/

ACEM position paper - Evaluation of Directive 2006/126/EC on driving licences
22 Feb 2021

Motorcycling provides added value for individuals and society at large as a mobility and leisure tool. To ensure that society fully benefits from all the advantages offered by motorcycles, the industry works on improving the safety record of riders across Europe. Proper licensing and post-licensing systems are instrumental in achieving better safety performance for all road users, including motorcycle riders. ACEM believes that the European legal framework regulating access to vehicles is crucial. ACEM sees no need to change the L-category part of Directive 2006/126/EC at this time.

Documents available to download

ACEM position paper - Evaluation of Directive 2006/126/EC on driving licences

ACEM position paper - Micromobility: The case of the Personal Light Electric Vehicle
19 Feb 2021

Micromobility is rapidly growing as a personal mobility option for European citizens. ACEM believes that micromobility vehicles, as well as all other vehicles, need to operate in a regulatory framework that defines where they can be used, at what speed, after which training, as of what age and in compliance with which design safety rules.

ACEM has been involved in Road Safety policy determination ever since the association was formed, as its members have constantly worked towards increasing the safety of their vehicles and their use.

Whilst not representing the interests of micromobility manufacturers, service providers or users, ACEM would like to hereby present its position on micromobility to help to secure a safe environment for all on our roads.

Documents available to download

ACEM position paper - Micromobility: The case of the Personal Light Electric Vehicle

ACEM statistics - Market 2020: increase for Powered Two-Wheeler registrations in Europe
11 Feb 2021

2020 was a difficult year for the motorcycle sector in Europe. The national lockdowns imposed to contain the Covid-19 pandemic in Spring, when the motorcycle market usually picks up, caused a sharp drop, or even a halt, of registrations. Logistic chains were also heavily disrupted, at all levels, for manufacturers and suppliers, impacting production.

In aggregate, the largest European markets for motorcycles and mopeds recovered after Spring, reaching an overall increase of 4% compared to 2019 data, although with different results across the countries. Some as the Netherlands (+30.3%) and Germany (+27%) registered substantial increases, while others such as Italy (-5.3%) and Spain (-8.8%) still lag behind 2019 figures. Generally speaking, the market progressively recovered in the second semester, although positive figures in late 2020 are also partly linked to pre-registrations performed by importers and dealers, due to the end of validity of Euro 4 approvals (31 December 2020), for production falling outside end of series provisions.

Looking at full-year 2020 results, a total of 883,102 motorcycles were registered in 2020 in the five largest European markets (i.e. France, Germany, Italy, Spain, and the UK) . This represents a marginal increase of 1% compared to 2019 numbers.

The largest motorcycle markets in Europe in 2020 were: Germany (220,304 units), Italy (218,027 units) and France (191,231 units).

The largest European moped markets (i.e., Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands and Spain) rose from 246,345 units in 2019 to 279,841 in 2020. This represents an increase of 13.6% on a year-on-year basis. The largest markets for mopeds in Europe were France (98,592 units), the Netherlands (84,732 units) and Germany (35,010 units).

Quote

Commenting on the 2020 registration figures, ACEM Secretary General Antonio Perlot said:

“To a large extent market recovery was due to the renewed attractiveness and convenience of powered two-wheelers for urban and peri-urban commuting, within a sanitary context in which public transportation has not been deemed a safe option by many citizens. Also, with reduced opportunities for holidaying abroad, most consumers having had to delay their purchase in Spring still opted for a new motorcycle later in the year, for leisure activities such as touring closer to home”.

“All in all, the motorcycle sector seems to have coped well with a very difficult year. However, looking ahead, the jury is still out, as many questions remain regarding the overall effects of the ongoing pandemic, on the EU economy and on mobility.”.

Correction

A previous version of this article stated that a total of 923,002 motorcycles and a total of 287,096 mopeds were registered in the largest European markets during 2020.
The correct figure is 883,102 units for the motorcycle segment and 279,841 for the moped segment. This article was amended on 17/02/21.

Documents available to download

ACEM - Statistical press release - January - December 2020 [PDF]

ACEM - Statistical press release - January - December 2020 [XLS]

Press contact

Manuel Ordonez de Barraicua
ACEM communications manager

+32 496 52 65 17

U.S. and EU associations send letter to President Biden and President von der Leyen calling for suspension of tariffs
25 Jan 2021

Seventy-two U.S. and European associations representing a wide range of industries sent a letter today to President Joseph R. Biden and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen urging the immediate suspension of tariffs on sectors unrelated to the ongoing Trans-Atlantic trade disputes.

The coalition stated that suspending tariffs will alleviate economic harms and help re-establish a cooperative Trans-Atlantic trading relationship.

“The COVID-19 pandemic and the necessary closures of non-essential businesses continue to affect the global economy, including our sectors which support millions of jobs on both sides of the Atlantic,” said the group of U.S. and EU associations. “The ongoing EU-U.S. trade disputes and additional tariffs, which continue to plague Trans-Atlantic trade, have made a bad situation worse. With the damages we have suffered last year and are still suffering, the current situation cannot be allowed to go on any longer.”

The groups stated, “We believe the immediate suspension of these tariffs is a necessary and fundamental action, which will provide an economic stimulus at a time when it is needed most.”

They concluded, “Our industries support a constructive and flourishing trade and economic relationship between the U.S. and EU. Removal of these tariffs will provide the positive momentum to reset the important bilateral relationship and cooperative efforts to address global economic challenges. In addition, a shared commitment to avoid new additional tariffs will create the necessary certainty and stability needed to grow the Trans-Atlantic economy.”

Documents available to download

U.S. and EU associations joint letter to President Biden and President von der Leyen [PDF]

Press contact

For further information please contact:
Lisa Hawkins. Distilled Spirits Council
P. +1 (202) 256-1330

Manuel Ordonez de Barraicua. ACEM communications manager
E. 
P. +32 496 52 65 17

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