The motorcycle industry’s safety strategy covers advanced safety technology and future connectivity. It also goes beyond the vehicle, covering high quality post-licence training and seeking cooperating with all important stakeholders at European and national level.

Documents available to download

The Safe Ride to the Future 2.0 [PDF]

On Monday 21st September, a coalition of 40 industry organisations wrote a letter to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen calling for decisive action to solve implementation issues within the EU Waste Framework Directive (WFD), specifically the Substances of Concern in Products (SCIP)database.

The signatories representing a very significant part of the European Economy request urgent resolution of implementation issues in a database designed to support the circular economy as expressed in the European Green Deal. This “SCIP” database is required by Article 9.1 of the updated Waste Framework Directive.

The signatories of this letter ask President von der Leyen to take immediate action to:

1. Postpone the SCIP notification deadline of 5th January 2021 by at least 12 months after the database will be finalised;
2. Conduct a study on the usefulness, feasibility, proportionality and impact of the database, and;
3. Instruct the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) to adapt the SCIP database according to the outcome of such study.

ECHA failed to finalize the database development to the required timescale of January 2020, preventing companies from developing, testing and adapting their own systems to meet the January 2021 notification deadline.

Signatories have serious concerns regarding the workability, proportionality and value of the SCIP database, expressed repeatedly for the last two years, but their concerns have not been resolved by the European Commission, nor by ECHA.

Contrary to the EU Better Regulation principles, Article 9.1 was added to the revised WFD during the final stage of the co-decision process without any prior stakeholder consultation or impact assessment. A proper impact study should help shape the way forward to deliver on the EU ambition for a circular European Economy.

Documents available to download

Press release - Industry letter to President von der Leyen “The notification deadline for the SCIP database must be postponed” [pdf]

Between January and June 2020, motorcycle registrations in the five largest European markets (i.e. France, Germany, Italy, Spain, and the UK, i.e. about 80% of the EU + UK motorcycle market) reached 413,200 units. This volume of registrations represents a decrease of 17% in comparison to the first six months of 2019.

The current registration trends in the motorcycle segment, however, can be considered a relative improvement in comparison to the first four months of the year. Indeed, during that period motorcycle registrations in the main European markets had fallen on average by 32.7% as a result of the paralysis of commercial activity that followed the outbreak of the COVID-19 virus (see the previous press release here).

Looking at the moped segment, registrations in the largest European markets (i.e. Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, and Spain) during the first 6 months of 2020 reached a total of 110,600 units. This represents a decrease of 6.9% in comparison to the same period of 2019.

Quote

Commenting on the current situation of the sector, Antonio Perlot, ACEM Secretary General, said: “Motorcycle and moped registration volumes remain considerably below 2019 levels, due to the impact of Spring lockdown measures. The partial rebounding of the market since the restart of activities shows that consumers consider our vehicles as excellent mobility and leisure options, in the current context”.

“Nevertheless, it is still early to draw any meaningful conclusions about the short-term evolution of the market and operations within the sector, especially given the unforeseeable evolution of COVID-19. The second half of the year will be crucial - the fact remains that a large number of dealers across Europe, in particular in most hit markets, still experience considerable financial pressure. They also face the challenge of handling excess inventory of Euro 4 models which, should there be no decisive action from the EU institutions, will become unsellable due to regulatory changes”.

“This is why the motorcycle industry in Europe renews its call on policy-makers to support OEMs, dealerships, and suppliers in these difficult times, through an extension of the deadline to sell Euro 4 vehicles, and targeted financial measures at national level”.

Documents available to download

ACEM - Statistical press release - January - June 2020 [xls]

ACEM - Statistical press release - January - June 2020 - EN [pdf]

ACEM - Statistical releases - FAQ [pdf]

ACEM - Statistical releases - Glossary [pdf]

Press contact

Manuel Ordonez de Barraicua
ACEM communications manager

+32 496 52 65 17

Notes for editors

Statistical releases in 2020

 

As of 2020 ACEM statistical releases will cover:

• The largest European markets for motorcycles (i.e. Italy, France, Germany Spain, UK). These countries account for about 80% of motorcycle registrations in the EU + UK block.

• The largest European moped markets (i.e. France, the Netherlands, Germany, Italy, Belgium, and Spain). These countries account about 80% of moped registrations in the EU + UK block.

 

About ACEM

 

The European Association of Motorcycle Manufacturers (ACEM) represents manufacturers of mopeds, motorcycles, three-wheelers, and quadricycles (L-category vehicles) in Europe.

ACEM members include 18 manufacturing companies: BMW Motorrad, Bombardier Recreational Products (BRP), Ducati, Harley-Davidson, Honda, Kawasaki, KTM, KYMCO, MV Agusta, Peugeot Scooters, Piaggio, Polaris Industries, Qooder, Renault, Royal Enfield, Suzuki, Triumph Motorcycles and Yamaha.

ACEM also represents 17 motorcycle industry associations in 16 different European countries.

The total European L-category vehicle market in 2019 amounted to 1,382,000 vehicles, of which 107,300 were sold in the UK. In 2019, the value of EU motorcycle exports to the UK was €425 million, and the value of UK motorcycle exports to the EU was €239 million.

Of the total of approximately 713,000 L-category vehicles produced in Europe, about 9,500 are produced in the UK (2018 figures). The motorcycle sector in Europe, including manufacturing, upstream and downstream activities, is estimated to employ around 300,000 people, of which over 40,000 are employed in the UK.

In terms of structure, the European motorcycle sector is characterised by a large number of companies active in vehicle, parts, components, sales, maintenance and repair – 8% of these companies are based in the UK.

Agreement of a deep and comprehensive trade deal between the EU and the UK is the greatest priority of the motorcycle industry.

Documents available to download

ACEM position paper - EU-UK trade negotiations