News

ACEM Secretary General Antonio Perlot participated in the International Motorcycle Federation’s annual debate “Motorcycles and scooters: a new boost for electric mobility?”, which took place on 28 September 2017 at the Stanhope Hotel in Brussels.

Panelists included representatives from the STORM Eindhoven Project, Scooty (e-scooter sharing platform), the European Commission, Transport & Environment and FIM, and discussed the challenges and opportunities tied to the deployment of electric motorcycles and scooters in Europe.

Mr Perlot said: “Motorcycles and mopeds fitted with internal combustion engines have high fuel efficiency levels and are already making a valuable contribution to the sustainability of Europe’s transport systems”.

“At the same time, motorcycle manufacturers are also bringing to market new electric models which can take full advantage of the features of mobility in urban areas: trips in high-traffic density zones, short travelling distances, and limited availability of parking spaces”.

Mr Perlot emphasized that “motorcycles ad scooters must always be eligible to the financial and tax incentives developed for other electric means of transport. We also need further support for charging infrastructure in European cities”.

Background

• Total registrations of electric mopeds, motorcycles and quadricycles between January 2017 and June 2017 in the EU reached 13,089 units. This represents an increase of 30.5% compared the same period of 2016, when 10,576 units were registered.
• During the first six months of 2017, 10,204 electric mopeds, 1,995 electric motorcycles and 1,610 quadricycles were registered in the EU.
• The countries with the highest number of motorcycles registered were: France (615), Spain (444) and Germany (325) and Austria (146). The largest registrations of mopeds were recorded in France (3,116), the Netherlands (2,516), Belgium (2,013) and Spain (774).
• For more market data about electric vehicles please visit: http://www.acem.eu/market-data 
• For more info about FIA’s event please visit: http://www.fim-live.com/en/article/fim-policy-debate-in-brussels

Press contact

Manuel Ordonez de Barraicua. ACEM Communications Officer
+32 (0) 22 30 97 32.
 

The French Association for the Training of Motorcyclists (AFDM, Association pour la formation des motards) has been awarded the European Training Quality Label by ACEM-DVR. The award follows an on-the-sport inspection of ADFM’s programme “Stages of perfectionnement” carried out by independent experts on 13 and 14 May 2017. The programme delivered by the AFDM was considered to be a robust and high-quality post-license scheme that helps motorcyclists to substantially improve their riding skills.

The AFDM, a non-for-profit organisation that has been working to promote motorcycle training in France for more than 35 years, also applies different quality monitoring systems in the riding schools that are part of its network, to ensure that their programmes are delivered to a high standard.

Commenting on the award, Dr. Veneta Vassileva, ACEM’s safety coordinator, said:

“We are delighted to announce that the AFDM is the first French organisation to have been granted the European Training Quality Label. This award is a testament to the quality and to the long-standing commitment of the AFDM in the field of road safety. We are particularly impressed by the quality of the work done by the AFDM and would like to encourage French riders to apply to these training programmes”.

“Only 10 months after the launch of the European Training Quality Seal, 21 training programmes in different countries have already been assessed and awarded the label. We hope that more training providers will soon apply and that this scheme will make a positive difference for the safety of motorcyclists in Europe”.

About the European training quality label

The European Training Quality Label is a label that helps riders to clearly and easily identify high-quality post-license training programmes. This voluntary certification procedure is open to a wide range of organizations based in Europe, including, amongst others, training schools, motorcycle manufacturers and public authorities. Voluntary post-license training is vital since it allows riders to increase their safety awareness, as well as enhance their hazard perception skills.

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 and 17 national industry associations. About 156,000 jobs depend on the motorcycle, moped, tricycle and quadricycle industry in Europe.

About DVR

The German Road Safety Council (DVR) is a German NGO active in the field of safety. It deals with policies related to traffic engineering, traffic law, awareness-raising campaign and traffic education. DVR coordinates a wide range of activities for its 200 members, including the European Training Quality Label. To learn more about DVR please visit: https://www.dvr.de/ 

Press contacts

Manuel Ordonez de Barraicua
ACEM Communications Officer
+32 (0) 22 30 97 32.
 

Stefan Pierer, CEO of KTM AG, will start serving today as President of the European Association of Motorcycle Manufacturers (ACEM), the industry association that represents motorcycle manufacturers in Europe. Mr Pierer succeeds Mr Stephan Schaller, whose mandate comes to an end.

Mr Schaller, who serves as President of BMW Motorrad and the International Motorcycle Manufacturers Association, will become one of ACEM’s Vice-presidents. Mr Michele Colaninno, member of Piaggio’s board of directors and CEO and COO of the Immsi Group, becomes the other Vice-president of the European association.

This team of motorcycle industry executives will lead ACEM until July 2019, when the association’s general assembly will decide on the next senior leadership team.

It is not the first time that the CEO of KTM AG is appointed President of ACEM. He had served in this position between July 2007 and 2011 and ad interim between September 2012 and March 2013.

Quote

Commenting on his election, Stefan Pierer said:

- “Mr Schaller has done an excellent job at positioning ACEM for the future. I know I speak for the whole European motorcycle community in stating how much this work is appreciated”.

- “Our sector is confronted to several important challenges. The European motorcycle market has not completely recovered from the economic crisis and the conditions to export to countries like the UK and the US can no longer be taken for granted. We also need to work to ensure that our sector has a reasonable amount of lead-time to implement the new European rules on type-approval of motorcycles, particularly the new Euro 5 requirements”.

- “I am excited to be leading a team that will work hard to ensure that motorcycling has the place it deserves in Europe and beyond – as a solution for mobility and leisure opportunity. Within a forward-looking vision, the motorcycle industry will continue to play this role”.

Antonio Perlot, the Secretary General of ACEM said:

- “I am looking forward to start working again with Stefan Pierer, a widely-respected business leader with substantial global experience, as well as with our two new Vice-presidents. Together, with the full ACEM membership, we will continue engaging with the European institutions and other stakeholders”.

Documents available to download

Press release - Stefan Pierer begins term as President of the European Association of Motorcycle Manufacturers (pdf)

Note for editors

• An Austrian national, Mr Stefan Pierer began his career in 1982. In 1987, he founded the CROSS holding group (now KTM Industries group) in which he acts as majority shareholder and member of the Board of Directors. Further to being the CEO of KTM AG, he is also the Chairman of the board at Pankl Racing Systems AG.

• 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 and 17 national industry associations. About 156,000 jobs depend on the motorcycle, moped, tricycle and quadricycle industry in Europe.

• ACEM manufacturing members, which include some of the largest multinationals in the sector, are: BMW Motorrad, Bombardier Recreational Products (BRP), Ducati Motor holding, Harley-Davidson, Honda, Kawasaki, KTM, KYMCO, MV Agusta, Peugeot Scooters, Piaggio, Polaris Industries, Renault, Royal Enfield, Suzuki, Triumph Motorcycles and Yamaha.

Press contact

Manuel Ordonez de Barraicua. ACEM Communications Officer
+32 (0) 22 30 97 32.
 

The European Association of Motorcycle Manufacturers (ACEM) and the International Motorcycle Manufacturers Association (IMMA) hosted a joint Spring Congress in Berlin, from 3 April until 7 April 2017. The event was attended by close to 200 delegates, including some senior industry leaders, from Europe, India, Japan, South East Asia, and South and North America.

A new leadership for ACEM and IMMA

Both associations elected a new leadership team. The ACEM General Assembly appointed Mr Stefan Pierer, CEO of KTM AG, as President of the association as of 1 July 2017. Mr Pierer will succeed Mr Stephan Schaller, President of BMW Motorrad, who will start serving as Vice-President of ACEM on the same date. The association will also have a new Vice-President: Mr Michele Colaninno, who is member of Piaggio’s board of directors as well as CEO and COO of the Immsi Group.

The IMMA General Assembly appointed a Vice-President: Mr Johannes Loman, who currently serves as Executive Vice President Director of PT Astra Honda Motor, President of the Federation of Asian Motorcycle Industries (FAMI) as well as President of the Indonesian Motorcycle Industries Association (AISI). Mr Loman will work closely with Mr Stephan Schaller, the current President of IMMA.

Key topics discussed during the Congress

As part of the Congress, ACEM and IMMA organised an international conference on motorcycling and sustainability. The discussions addressed a wide range of issues including the challenges and opportunities for motorcycling in urban areas, recent developments in the fields of sustainability and road safety, and the need for further harmonisation of technical regulations at global level.

Panellists included renowned policy experts and representatives of civil society organisations: Stefano Ammirati (Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile, FIA), Edwin Bastiaensen (International Motorcycle Manufacturers Association), Antonio Erario (Italian Ministry of Transport, UNECE), Vito Ippolito (Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme, FIM), Hannes Jaenicke (actor, author and motorcycle rider), Angel Lopez (Barcelona’s City Council), Dr. Margie Peden (World Health Organization) and Prof. Fred Wegman (International Traffic Safety Data and Analysis Group).

About the International Motorcycle Manufacturers Association

The International Motorcycle Manufacturers Association (IMMA) represents the combined skills and interests of the powered two- and three-wheelers manufacturing industry at the global level. It promotes mobility through safe, sustainable motorcycling by advocating the development and harmonisation of technical regulations affecting the motorcycle industry and by advancing inclusive policies for motorcycling. IMMA members include regional and national industry associations from Australia, Canada, Europe, India, Japan, South-East Asia and the United States.

About the European Association of Motorcycle Manufacturers

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 and 17 national industry associations. About 156,300 jobs depend on the motorcycle, moped, tricycle and quadricycle industry in Europe.

Press contact

For further information or to receive future ACEM news and press releases please contact:
Manuel Ordonez de Barraicua. ACEM communications officer
P. +32 (0)22 30 97 32
E.  

According to the latest data published today by the European Association of Motorcycle Manufacturers (ACEM) registrations of motorcycles and mopeds in the EU have increased by 9.1% in 2016 compared to the the previous year. Total registrations in 2016 reached 1,307,200 units, with substantial increases in all of the largest European markets.

France remains the largest European market for light vehicles (253,067 units, +4.2% in 2016), followed by Italy (219,865 units, +11.8%), Germany (174,264 units, +15.1%), Spain (172,176 units, +15.9%) and the UK (128,637 units, +11.7%).

Strong growth in the motorcycle segment across Europe

In 2016 European registrations of motorcycles (i.e. vehicles with two- or three wheels and an engine capacity of more than 50cc) grew by 13.3% compared to 2015. The largest market for motorcycles in Europe was Italy, with 195,290 units registered (+13.5% on a year-on-year basis).

Other largest European motorcycle markets also showed positive trends: 174,624 vehicles were registered in Germany (+15.1%); 163,335 in France (+6.6%), 155,003 in Spain (+17%) and 119,889 in the UK (+13.4%).

Moped registrations in Europe

Registrations of mopeds (i.e. vehicles with two or three wheels and an engine capacity of 50cc or less) increased in some of the major European markets such as Spain (17,173 units, +7.6%) and the Netherlands (67,825 units, +2.9%), and remained stable in France (89,732 units, +0.1%) and Italy (24,575 units, -0.2%). A total of 327,826 mopeds were registered in Europe in 2016, representing a decrease of 3.5% on a year-on year basis.

Registrations by cylinder capacity

Most motorcycles, mopeds and quadricycles registered in Europe in 2016 have a cyclinder capacity of less than 125 cc (672,551 units, 49%). Vehicles with a cyclinder capacity between 126cc and 500cc accounted for 19% of the total (268,103 units), quite close to the number of registered vehicles with engines between 500c and 1000cc (20.6%, 283,868 units). Lastly, vehicles with engines of 1000cc or more totalled 150,444 units (10.9% of the total).

Registrations of electric vehicles

The largest markets for electrically-propelled mopeds, motorcycles and quadricycles were: France (7,396 units), the Netherlands (5,203 units), Italy (2,385 units), Spain (1,604 units) and Germany (1,501 units). Of all mopeds, motorcycles and quadricycles registered in the EU, 1.6% were electric vehicles. Internal combustion vehicles and vehicles equipped with hybrid propulsion represented 98.4% of the total registrations.

Quote

The Secretary General of the European Association of Motorcycle Manufacturers (ACEM), Antonio Perlot (Italian) said:

• “2016 has been a very positive year for the industry, with registrations increasing in most European countries, particularly in the largest European markets: France (253,067 units), Italy (219,865 units), Germany (174,264 units), Spain (172,176 units) and the UK (128,637 units)”.

• “Strong demand for light vehicles across Europe is a testament to their inherent advantages. Mopeds, motorcycles and quadricycles have reduced purchasing and running costs, are easier to park than cars, and reduce travelling times and congestion in cities”.

• “Nothwithstanding this, our sector still faces a delicate situation. Although more than 1.3 million vehicles were registered in Europe in 2016, that figure is about half the 2.43 million units registered in 2007 before the economic crisis hit”. 

• “According to our latest estimates, about 156,000 jobs are generated directly or indirectly by our sector in the EU. Activities such as manufacturing of vehicles, parts and componentes, as well as in repair and maintenance of vehicles, or manufacturing of protective equipment to name just a few examples, create jobs all over Europe, particularly in countries such as Italy, France, Germany, Austria, Spain and the UK”.

• “Exports of motorcycles, parts and accesories to foreign countries are essential to sustaining jobs in the motorcycle sector in Europe. In addition to a stronger domestic European market, we need a European trade policy that not only secures strategic free trade agreements with key partners but also one that prevents protectionist policies abroad”.

Documents available to download

ACEM - Statistical data - December 2016 [xls]

ACEM - Statistical press release - December 2016 [pdf]

Press contact

For further information or to receive future ACEM news and press releases please contact:
Manuel Ordonez de Barraicua. ACEM communications officer
P. +32 (0)22 30 97 32
E.

The European Association of Motorcycle Manufacturers (ACEM) is deeply concerned about the current decision of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) to consider imposing additional customs duties of up to 100% on European motorcycle exports between 51cc and 500cc as of March 2017. This potential measure follows a formal petition to the USTR from the American beef industry, which has requested the opening of a Section 301 proceeding under the 1974 US Trade Act. This seeks to impose additional duties on EU exports to the US as a retaliatory measure against EU restrictions on American beef imports.

The new motorcycle tariff currently under consideration could not only inflict considerable damage to European companies that manufacture goods used by American citizens for both leisure and mobility. It would also negatively affect US small- and medium- enterprises that provide distribution, dealership and repair services, and could potentially lead to the destruction of thousands of jobs in the US.

ACEM, in line with the motorcycle sector at large in Europe and in the United States, calls on the USTR to properly assess this potential measure and to avoid creating an artificial and counterproductive trade barrier that will certainly not encourage a favourable resolution of the beef dispute and that will be damaging for both the EU and the US economies.

Quote

ACEM Secretary General Antonio Perlot said:

“There is no justification for this measure, and the motorcycle sector should not be dragged into trade disputes over food products. ACEM, as the representative of motorcycle manufacturers in Europe, is following this issue closely and presented its observations before the USTR to obtain an immediate exclusion of European motorcycles from the list of products subject to increased duties”.

“We should be looking for new opportunities to promote transatlantic commerce and increase prosperity on both sides of the Atlantic, instead of creating new artificial barriers that hurt European companies, reduce American consumers’ choice and harm jobs in the US”.

“Unilateral measures such as this one will not encourage a favourable resolution of the beef dispute. ACEM calls on the USTR to properly assess the potential measure and counts on the support of the European Commission to ensure that European companies can compete in the US market on fair terms and are not hindered by artificial and counterproductive trade barriers”.

Press contact

For further information or to receive future ACEM news and press releases please contact:
Manuel Ordonez de Barraicua. ACEM communications officer
P. +32 (0)22 30 97 32
E.

Background

• ACEM, the European Association of Motorcycle Manufacturers, is the trade association that represents manufacturers of powered-two and three-wheelers as well as quadricycles (L-category vehicles) in Europe. ACEM members include 17 manufacturing companies and 17 national industry associations in 14 different European countries. About 156,300 jobs depend on the motorcycle, moped, tricycle and quadricycle industry in Europe.

• ACEM works closely with the EU institutions, as well as with a wide range of stakeholders, in different policy-areas. These include type-approval of L-category vehicles, environmental legislation, road safety and transport policies, international trade negotiations, etc.

• The United States Trade Representative (USTR) is a Cabinet member who serves as the President’s principal trade adviser, negotiator, and spokesperson on trade issues. He is responsible for developing and coordinating U.S. international trade, commodity and direct investment policy.

• Under Section 301 of the US Trade Act of 1974, the USTR is entitled to take unilateral actions and to impose duties upon foreign exports. It is not the first time the European motorcycle industry is targeted by the USTR. In 1999 and 2008, European motorcycles had also been included in – and subsequently removed – from a similar retaliation list.

More information

• ACEM. Position Paper: Request to reinstate action taken in connection with the European Union measures concerning meat and meat products [docket n° USTR-2016-0025) - Comments of the Motorcycle Industry in Europe (ACEM). http://www.acem.eu/publications/item/427-acem-comments-on-the-request-to-reinstate-action-taken-in-connection-with-the-european-union-measures-concerning-meat-and-meat-products 

• Office of United States Trade Representative (USTR). Request to Reinstate Action Taken in Connection with European Union's Measures Concerning Meat and Meat Products. https://www.regulations.gov/document?D=USTR-2016-0025-0001 

• White House. Press release: “Obama Administration Takes Action to Address European Union’s Unfair Trade Practices against U.S. Beef Industry”. https://ustr.gov/about-us/policy-offices/press-office/press-releases/2016/december/obama-administration-takes-action

Motorcycle registrations in the largest EU markets - France, Germany, Italy, Spain and the UK - grew by 8.5% during the first 11 monhs of 2016, compared to the same period of 2015, reaching 742,515 units.

The strongest performance was recorded in Italy (+11.4%, 186,203 units), followed by Spain (+12.2%, 139,118 units), the UK (+8.5%, 109,715 units), Germany (+7%, 157,156 units) and France (+3.5%, 150,323 units).

Documents available to download

Statistical data - Motorcycle registrations in key EU markets - November 2016 [xls]

Press release - Motorcycle registrations in key EU markets - November [pdf]

Press contact

For further information or to receive future market updates, news or press releases please contact:

Manuel Ordonez de Barraicua. ACEM communications officer E. , P. +32 (0) 22 30 97 32.

At least 1,151,043 powered-two and three-wheelers were registered during the first 10 months of 2016 in the EU. This represents an increase of 4.5% compared to the 1,101,860 vehicles registered during the same period of 2015.

Registrations performed positively in all of the key European markets including Italy (+9.9%, 199,702 units), Spain (+9.8%, 141,519 units), UK (+6.7%, 110,003 units), Germany (+3.4%, 178,845 units) and France (+1.2%, 217,423 units).

Motorcycle registrations

Cumulative motorcycle registrations grew by 7.4% during the first 10 months of 2016 on a year-on year basis. A total of 870,741 motorcycles were registered between January and October 2016, against 811,013 during the same period of 2015.

Year-on-year motorcycle registrations increased in all of the largest European markets, including Italy (+11.6%, 178,109 units), Spain (+10.3%, 127,265 units), UK (+8%, 102,617 units), Germany (+5.6%, 151,189 units) and France (+2.4%, 140,698 units).

Moped registrations

At least 280,302 mopeds were registered during the first nine months of 2016 in the EU, whilst 290,847 had been registered during the same period of 2015. This represents a decrease of 3.6%.

Moped registrations increased in Spain (+6.1%, 14,254 units) and the Netherlands (+2.9%, 60,618 units). They remained stable in France (-0.9%, 76,455 units) but declined in Italy (-2.2%, 21,593 units), Germany (-7.3%, 27,656 units) and Poland (-14.3%, 22,462 units).

Documents available to dowload

ACEM - Statistical data - October 2016 [xls]
ACEM - Statistical press release - October 2016 [pdf]

Press contact

For further information or to receive future market updates, news or press releases please contact:
Manuel Ordonez de Barraicua. ACEM communications officer
E. , P. +32 (0) 22 30 97 32.

Highways England, the company responsible for running over 4000 miles of England’s motorways and major trunk roads, is to become the third partner in a landmark collaboration to improve motorcycle rider safety. The government owned company will join the National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) and the Motorcycle Industry Association (MCIA) as an equal partner in facilitating practical changes to roads, as detailed in a jointly written whitepaper: ‘Realising the Motorcycling Opportunity: A Motorcycle Safety and Transport Policy Framework’.

The Framework calls for motorcycles and scooters to be included in mainstream transport policy and for rider safety to be consistently factored into national road design, which has not been the case in the past. Seven key areas have been identified, which would make roads safer for riders, along with actions as to how this can be achieved practically. These include: safer infrastructure, expanding road user education, increasing awareness and training and working in partnership with cycle groups.

The Framework also advocates unlocking the benefits of motorcycles and demonstrating exactly how they offer a practical solution to congestion, as well as improving personal mobility for people without access to other forms of transport. 

Highways England has a goal of bringing the number of people killed or injured on the strategic road network as close as possible to zero by 2040. It will work with police and MCIA across all seven areas identified in the Framework and will lead on ‘safer infrastructure’. 

Quotes

Mike Wilson, Highways England’s Chief Highways Engineer, said: “Safety is our top priority and we believe no one should be harmed when travelling or working on our road network. We are committed to both reducing the number of motorcycle incidents and casualties on our roads and to improving the experience motorcyclists have on those roads; this influential partnership with the industry and police supports that commitment.”

Deputy Chief Constable for North Yorkshire Police, Tim Madgwick, who is the national motorcycle lead for the National Police Chiefs Council says: “The Police service is on the front line, dealing with the devastation that is caused to families and the greater community by road traffic collisions.  The opportunity to work with both Highways England and the Motorcycle Industry Association gives us far greater scope to make our roads a safer place, not only for those who use powered two wheelers, but for all road users.  In addition to the safety aspect, encouraging greater use of motorcycles will also contribute greatly to reducing congestion and therefore journey times across the country.”

Karen Cole, Director of Safety and Training, says: “Highways England brings significant resource to this ambitious project; financially and in terms of influence, expertise and evidence-based decision making; add this to police backing and we have an unprecedented opportunity to make a huge difference to riders”.

Documents available to download

Press release - Roads to become safer for motorcyclists through new partnership [pdf]

Realising the Motorcycling Opportunity A Motorcycle Safety and Transport Policy Framework [pdf]

Press contact

For more information on this initiative, please contact: Stevie Muir. MCIA public relations and communications officer

E.  P. +44 (0)79 89 37 85 97

Motorcycle registrations in the largest EU markets - France, Germany, Italy, Spain and the UK - grew by 7.4% during the first three quarters of 2016, compared to the same period of 2015, reaching 649,599 units.

The strongest performance was recorded in Italy (+12, 166,602 units), followed by Spain (+10.2%, 114,988 units), the UK (+8.7%, 94,807 units), Germany (+4.5%, 143,367 units) and France (+2.1%, 129,935 units).

Documents available to download

Statistical data - Motorcycle registrations in key EU markets - September 2016 [xls]

Press release - Motorcycle registrations in key EU markets - September [pdf]

Press contact

For further information or to receive future market updates, news or press releases please contact:
Manuel Ordonez de Barraicua. ACEM communications officer
E. , P. +32 (0) 22 30 97 32.