News

A total of 250,080 powered-two and three-wheelers were registered during the first three months of 2015 in the EU.

Registrations performed positively in Spain (27,920 units, +18.1%), the UK (25,394 units, +11.8%), and Germany (47,590 units, +0.2%). They decreased in Italy (40,660 units, -4.6%) and France (49,260 units, -6.2%).

This represents a minor decrease (0.2%) compared to the 250,460 units registered during the same period of 2014.

Motorcycle registrations

Cumulative motorcycle registrations grew by 4% during the first three months of 2015 on a year-on-year basis. A total of 189,570 motorcycles were registered in January and February 2015, against 182,270 during the same period of 2014.

Year-on-year motorcycle registrations increased in key European markets including Spain (24,700 units, +19.1%), the UK (23,465 units, +14.3%) and Germany (40,050 units, +3.8%).

Registrations decreased in Italy (35,810 units, -1.5%) and France (33,475 units, -3.6%).

Moped registrations

A total of 60,510 mopeds were registered during the first three months of 2015 in the EU, whilst 68,180 mopeds had been registered during the same period of 2014, representing a decrease of 11.3%.

Registrations increased in Spain (3,220, + 11.4%), although they decreased in France (15,790 units, -11.1 %), UK (1,930 units, -11.9%), Germany (7,540 units, -15.5%) and Italy (4,850 units, -22.4%).

Documents available to download

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

ACEM - Statistical data - March 2015.xls [0.25 MB]

Today, Stephan Schaller, President of BMW Motorrad, has been re-elected as President of ACEM, the European Association of Motorcycle Manufacturers. ACEM also welcomed motorcycle manufacturer MV Agusta as its 15th corporate member.

ACEM is also pleased to announce that motorcycle manufacturer MV Agusta, previously a member between 1994 and 2003, has re-joined the association.

As of today, ACEM will represent a total of 15 world leading companies in the motorcycle industry, as well as 18 national associations based in Europe. MV Agusta, headquartered in Varese, Italy, is a very well-known company for its advanced technology and premium vehicles. MV Agusta manufactures vehicles in several segments including supersport, superbike, sports-naked and crossover.

Commenting on the main outcomes of the 2015 General Assembly, ACEM President Stephan Schaller said:

“I am honoured to be able to serve a second mandate as ACEM President and pleased to welcome MV Agusta back in membership. I’m personally convinced that having MV Agusta with us again will add to the voice of the industry in Europe and I look forward to continue working together with all members for the success of our industry”.

“Important tasks lie ahead of us, such as continuing advocating for the right policies and raising awareness at EU level of our sector’s contribution to society”.

Note for editors

ACEM, the Motorcycle Industry in Europe, is the professional body representing the interests and combined skills of 15 manufacturers of L-category vehicles (i.e. powered-two and three-wheelers as well as quadricycles) and 18 national associations. The motorcycle sector accounts for about 150,000 jobs across the European Union.

A mechanical engineer, with more than 30 years of experience in the motorcycle industry, Stephan Schaller has served as ACEM President since March 2013 and has been President of BMW Motorrad since June 2012. He previously worked for the BMW Group from 1981 to 1999. Moreover, Mr Schaller held various management positions over the course of his career, including Head of Production at the BMW Plant Rosslyn (South Africa), and was also Vice Chairman of the Board of Management of Schott AG, Mainz.

MV Agusta, is a motorcycle manufacturer headquartered in Varese, Italy. It has international renown for its advanced technology and high performance vehicles. The company is also one of the most successful brands in the world of motorcycle racing. MV Agusta’s product portfolio is based on two main platforms, comprising three- and four-cylinder models ranging from 675 to 1100 cubic centimetres engine displacement. The company has won nothing less than 75 world championships, and owns Cagiva, a further renowned Italian historical motorcycle brand.

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

Documents available to download 

Press release - ACEM 2015 General assembly.pdf [0.19 MB]

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

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.

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.

Volvo 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.  

The Federation of European Motorcyclists' Associations (FEMA), the body which represents national rider groups across Europe, will host on 2 and 3 February 2015 its annual European Motorcyclist Forum. This year’s event will cover several topics relevant to motorcycling safety including the results of the RIDERSCAN project and its implications for the European Commission’s road safety policy orientations for 2011-2020. 

The Federation of European Motorcyclists' Associations (FEMA), the body which represents national rider groups across Europe, will host on 2 and 3 February 2015 its annual European Motorcyclist Forum.

This year’s event will cover several topics relevant to motorcycling safety including the results of the RIDERSCAN project and its implications for the European Commission’s road safety policy orientations for 2011-2020, research on motorcycling safety, infrastructure development and effective communication strategies with motorcyclist groups.

Speakers and moderators will include Anna Zee (FEMA President), Szabolcs Schmidt and Casto Lopez-Benitez (European Commission, DG MOVE), Pierre van Eslande (IFSTTAR, OECD), Aline Delhaye (FEMA, RIDERSCAN coordinator) and Brian Harnett (Irish Road Safety Authority), among others.

The 2015 European Motorcyclist Forum will run over two days of seminars, presentations and debate. A full day workshop will be organised at the CEN-CENELEC premises on 2 February. A half-day debate session in the European Parliament will take place on 3 February.

The event in the Parliament will be kindly hosted by Ms Inés Ayalá-Sender, Mr Wim van de Camp MEP and Mr Dominique Riquet, MEPs.

The full programme of the 2015 European Motorcyclist Forum and the registration form are available here. 

A total of  964,000 powered two wheelers (PTWs) were registered during the first nine months of 2014 in the EU. This represents an increase of 0.41% compared with the 960,060 units registered between January and September 2013. Registrations in the motorcycle segment grew by 6.3%, whilst moped registrations fell by 11.4%.

The full statistical release in pdf format can be downloaded here.