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Registrations of motorcycles in the EU reached 830,694 units during the first 9 months of 2018, according to the latest estimation of the European Association of Motorcycle Manufacturers (ACEM). This represents an increase of 8.2% compared to the same period of 2017. With 186,487 units (a 5.1% increase on a year-on-year basis) Italy remains the largest European motorcycle market, followed by France (146,276 motorcycles, +10%), Germany (140,628 motorcycles, +11.1%), Spain (113,650 motorcycles, +8.0%) and the UK (83,155 motorcycles, +3.7%).

Motorcycle registrations increased in all EU countries, with the exception of Poland, where they went down by 2.3%.

Moped registrations in the EU continue decreasing

The European moped market reached 209,562 units during the first 9 months of 2018. This represents a decrease of about 26.1% compared to the registration levels of the first nine months of 2017 (283,399 units). The largest markets for mopeds in Europe were: France (51,498 units), Netherlands (47,260 units), Germany (20,133 units), Italy (16,118 units) and Belgium (15,992 units).

Registrations of electric vehicles in the EU up by 49%

Combined registrations of electric mopeds, motorcycles and quadricycles reached 36,270 units during the first nine months of 2018. This represents a substantial increase of 52.8% compared to the registration levels of the same period of 2017 (23,722 units).

Most of the electric L-category vehicles registered in 2018 are mopeds (26,210 units), followed by motorcycles (7,652 units) and a much smaller number of quadricycles (about 2,408 units).

Documents available to download

ACEM - Statistical data - January - September 2018 [xls]

ACEM - Statistical press release - January - September 2018 [pdf]

Press contact

Manuel Ordonez de Barraicua. ACEM communications manager

E.  

P. +32 (0)22 30 97 32

Today, FIM, the International Motorcycling Federation, joined the European Training Quality Label, an initiative aiming at rewarding the best post-license training schemes in Europe. Representatives of FIM, the European Association of Motorcycle Manufacturers (ACEM), and DVR, Germany’s most important road safety NGO, signed a letter formalising this new cooperation during the second day of the International Motorcycle Safety Conference in Cologne, Germany.

The European Training Quality Label that FIM joins today is a voluntary certification scheme launched in 2015 by ACEM, the European Association of Motorcycle Manufacturers and DVR, the leading German road safety NGO, to help motorcyclists clearly and easily identify high-quality post-license training programs in Europe. The label is open to a wide range of organisations based in Europe, including training schools, motorcycle manufacturers and public bodies. To date, a total of 26 post-license motorcycle training programs have been certified in France, the Netherlands, Austria and Germany. 

FIM is the leading governing body of motorcycle sports, and represents 113 motorcycle federations organised in 6 Continental Unions. FIM has been active in the field of road safety since the 1970s, and many of its members have provided safety-oriented training to thousands of motorcyclists across the world. More recently, the organisation launched “We, the riders”, a global road safety campaign aimed at raising awareness about the presence of motorcyclists on the streets.

Steve Aeschlimann, Chief Executive Officer of FIM, says, “We welcome the opportunity to work together with ACEM and DVR and to become a partner of the European Training Quality Label. We at FIM believe that life-long training is essential to improve the safety of motorcyclists on the streets. Many people pass their driving test only once, but they ride their motorcycle daily. We want those motorcyclists to have decent training and to be able to avoid potentially dangerous situations on the streets”. 

Antonio Perlot, Secretary General of the European Association of Motorcycle Manufacturers (ACEM), says, “We are extremely pleased that FIM is joining the ACEM-DVR cooperation. We look forward to working with FIM to promote the best post-license training programs across Europe, and to make Europe’s roads better and safer for all motorcyclists”.

Christian Kellner, General Manager of the Road Safety Council (DVR), says, “The human factor has repeatedly been shown to be the most critical factor in accidents involving powered two-wheelers. For this reason, we need to reach out to new and existing motorcycle riders, and help them to make better and more informed decisions about their training, so that they can ride confidently and safely".

Press contact

Dr. Veneta Vassileva

ACEM Road Safety Coordinator

Email

Phone +32 (0)22 30 97 32

Documents available to download 

PRESS RELEASE - FIM joins the European Training Quality Label to promote better motorcycle training [pdf]

COMMUNIQUE DE PRESSE - La FIM rejoint le European Training Quality Label pour promouvoir une meilleure formation pour motocyclistes [pdf]

COMUNICATO STAMPA - La FIM collabora con il Label europeo per la qualità della formazione per promuovere una migliore formazione motociclistica [pdf]

PRESSEMITTEILUNG - Besseres Training für Motorradfahrer FIM unterstützt Europäisches Qualitätssiegel [pdf]

COMUNICADO DE PRENSA - FIM se suma al sello de calidad europeo de formación para promocionar una mejor capacitación de conducción de motocicletas [pdf]

Press photos

You can download all the photos from here. No copyright 

The European authorities have now increased customs duties on various US products, ranging from steel and aluminium products to agricultural goods. As of 22 June 2018, under Commission implementing regulation (EU) 2018/886, a list of US products, including motorcycles with a cylinder capacity above 500cc, are facing an additional 25% import duty when entering the EU.

The application of the extra duty follows earlier announcements and the notification of the full list to the WTO, endorsed by the College of Commissioners.  EU Member States have expressed their unanimous support for this approach.  This rebalancing measure comes 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.

According to European Commissioner for Trade, Cecilia Malmström, "we did not want to be in this position. However, the unilateral and unjustified decision of the US to impose steel and aluminium tariffs on the EU means that we are left with no other choice. The rules of international trade, which we have developed over the years hand in hand with our American partners, cannot be violated without a reaction from our side. Our response is measured, proportionate and fully in line with WTO rules. Needless to say, if the US removes its tariffs, our measures will also be removed."

From the outset in early March, the motorcycle industry has been calling for the sector not to be dragged into this trade dispute.  It has done so in full cooperation, working together in Europe and in the United States, to engage with authorities and prevent damaging trade restrictive measures for the industry, dealers and consumers.  “Unfortunately, whilst we understand the European Commission’s position, it is a fact that the EU/US dialogue failed to avoid the current negative outcome.  As nobody wins in trade wars, we strongly call on a return to reason and for both parties to find a solution”, said Antonio Perlot, ACEM Secretary General.

Note for editors

The European Association of Motorcycle Manufacturers (ACEM) represents manufacturers of mopeds, motorcycles, three-wheelers and quadricycles (L-category vehicles) in Europe. ACEM members include 17 manufacturing companies and 17 national industry associations.

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.

About 300,000 jobs depend on the motorcycle, moped, tricycle and quadricycle industry in the EU.

Press contact

Manuel Ordonez de Barraicua. ACEM communications manager

  
+32 (0)22 30 97 32

As of 1 of June 2018 the Government of the United States of America will impose a 10% tariff on European aluminium products and a 25% tariff on European steel products. The European Commission has made it clear that this decision by the Trump Administration will be met by trade rebalancing measures, targeting a list of US products with additional duties as allowed by WTO rules.

European authorities may decide to increase customs duties on American exports of motorcycles into the EU. This situation is already creating considerable economic uncertainty in both side of the Atlantic. Indeed, American manufacturers but also European dealers and consumers would be affected if trade restrictive measures are adopted.

A final decision will be taken by the European Commission after consulting with EU Member States on 20 June 2018.

Note for editors

The European Association of Motorcycle Manufacturers (ACEM) represents manufacturers of mopeds, motorcycles, three-wheelers and quadricycles (L-category vehicles) in Europe. ACEM members include 17 manufacturing companies and 17 national industry associations.

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.

About 300,000 jobs depend on the motorcycle, moped, tricycle and quadricycle industry in the EU.

Press contact

Manuel Ordonez de Barraicua. ACEM communications manager
  
+32 (0)22 30 97 32

One day ahead of the Brussels European summit, where the 28 Heads of State and Government will discuss trade policy, the European Association of Motorcycle Manufacturers (ACEM) calls on EU governments to exclude motorcycles from the lists of American products on which the EU will increase customs duties. The EU stands ready to retaliate against the US following the decision of the Trump administration to impose additional duties on imports of steel and aluminium products including European ones.

ACEM wrote to the European Commissioner for Trade, Cecilia Malmström, and to the Vice-President of the European Commission, Jyrki Katainen, to express its concern about the escalation of this trade conflict. In its letter, the European motorcycle industry explained that by enacting retaliatory tariffs on American motorcycles, the EU may end up triggering American retaliatory measures against European-made motorcycles and scooters.

Since this would severely damage not only motorcycle manufacturers in Europe, but also European manufacturers of parts, components and accessories (many of which are SMEs) and providers of services demanded by motorcycle companies, ACEM calls on EU governments and the European Commission to exclude American motorcycle exports from their retaliation and compensation lists. ACEM will elaborate on the negative consequences for the motorcycle sector of this trade dispute in its reply to a public consultation launched by the European Commission.

ACEM President and CEO of KTM AG, Stefan Pierer, who is today attending the ACEM General Assembly hosted by Peugeot Scooters in Sochaux (France), said: “Europe is one of the most important markets for American exporters of motorcycles, and about 30% of all European motorcycle exports go to the US. This trade dispute could be extremely damaging for both sides. Nobody wins with trade wars”.

ACEM Secretary General Antonio Perlot said: “We call on EU Member States to urgently exclude American motorcycle exports from its retaliation and compensation lists. We also encourage the European Commission to work constructively with Washington to reach a negotiated solution to the steel and aluminium issues, and to de-escalate the conflict. The motorcycle sector must not be brought into this trade dispute”.

Note for editors

About 300,000 jobs depend on the motorcycle, moped, tricycle and quadricycle industry in the EU.

According to EUROSTAT figures, in 2016 the EU’s exports of motorcycles to the US amounted to € 483.1 million, which represented 29.1% of all European motorcycle exports. Furthermore, EU-based companies exported € 139.6 million in motorcycle parts and components to America (30.8% of the total). In 2016, the US was the first destination for European exports of motorcycles as well as parts and components.

The European Association of Motorcycle Manufacturers (ACEM) represents manufacturers of mopeds, motorcycles, three-wheelers and quadricycles (L-category vehicles) in Europe. ACEM members include 17 manufacturing companies and 17 national industry associations.

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.

Documents available to download

Communiqué de presse - Stefan Pierer, PDG de KTM AG et Président de l’ACEM : « Dans une guerre commerciale, personne ne gagne » [PDF]

Comunicato stampa - Stefan Pierer, Presidente dell’ACEM e CEO di KTM AG, afferma: “Nessuno uscirà vincitore da questa guerra commerciale” [PDF]

Press release - ACEM President and CEO of KTM AG, Stefan Pierer: “Nobody wins with trade wars” [PDF]

Press contact

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

The European Association of Motorcycle Manufacturers (ACEM) and the Connected Motorcycle Consortium (CMC) will participate in the 2018 edition of the OECD International Transport Forum that will take place between 23 and 25 May in Leipzig, Germany.

The theme of the Forum will be “Transport Safety and Security" and it will address a wide range of issues including: planning and design of safety transport systems, road infrastructure and safety management and the link between economic activity and road safety trends.

Motorcycle safety experts from the ACEM and the CMC will be present at the 2018 International Transport Forum to elaborate on some of the different initiatives led by the industry to improve motorcycle safety in Europe, such as the ACEM road safety strategy or the European training quality label.

CMC experts will discuss with attendees the potential of connected intelligent transport systems (C-ITS) to improve motorcycle safety, the need for interoperable C-ITS applications as well as the risks and benefits of car automation for motorcyclists’ safety.

Moreover, the Secretary General of the International Motorcycle Manufacturers’ Association will deliver a presentation on the situation of motorcycle safety at an international level.

CMC and ACEM representatives

• Hennes Fischer. Senior Adviser. Yamaha Motor Europe.
• Tomohiro Matsuda. Regulatory affairs and engineering manager. Kawasaki Motors Europe.
• Dr. Veneta Vassileva. Safety coordinator. European Association of Motorcycle Manufacturers (ACEM)

Additional information and registration

For further information and to register for this event please visit: https://2018.itf-oecd.org/ 

About the CMC

• The CMC is an R&D platform to foster cooperation in the field of C-ITS created in 2016 by BMW Motorrad, Honda and Yamaha. The key objective of the CMC is to promote timely and comprehensive use of C-ITS systems offering the potential to improve safety for motorcyclists. It is open to a wide range of organisations including motorcycle OEM, automotive companies, automotive part suppliers and research institutions.
• Since its creation, several members have joined the consortium, including: Kawasaki, KTM and Suzuki and Autotalks (development members) as well as the ACEM, the Technical University of Dresden, the Technische Hochschule Ingolstadt, VUFO GmbH and the Würzburg Institute for Traffic Sciences and Ducati (associate members). For more information about the CMC please visit www.cmc-info.net

About ACEM

• The European Association of Motorcycle Manufacturers represents manufacturers of mopeds, motorcycles, three-wheelers and quadricycles (L-category vehicles) in Europe. The entire sector accounts for about 156,000 jobs across Europe.
• ACEM members include 18 multinational manufacturing companies: 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. ACEM also represents 17 motorcycle industry associations in 14 different European countries.

Press contact

Manuel Ordonez de Barraicua
ACEM Communications manager
E.  P. +32 (0) 496 52 65 17

A total of 913,723 motorcycles were registered in 2017 in the EU according to the final figures published today by the European Association of Motorcycle Manufacturers (ACEM).

The European Association of Motorcycle Manufacturers, ACEM, hosted today its 13^th annual conference in Brussels. The event, titled ‘Sustainable motorcycling in Europe, attracted more than 250 attendees from all over Europe, including businesses, representatives from the European Commission, the European Parliament, Member States, NGOs and other organisations. The discussions addressed the role of the motorcycle industry in the sustainability of transport in Europe.

Stefan Pierer, CEO of the Austrian motorcycle manufacturer KTM and current President of ACEM said: “Our industry is committed to sustainability, which we understand as a complex process related to environmental performance of vehicles, road safety and economic viability of our operations”.

“Since 1999, our sector moved from the Euro 0 to the Euro 4 standard. Carbon monoxide emissions were reduced by 91%. Nitrogen oxide and carbon emissions considered together went down by 92%. Even more, this reduction in limit values took place at the same time that new and more stringent testing procedures were introduced in European legislation”.

“In the coming months, we will start working on the implementation of the future Euro 5 environmental standard. However, manufacturing vehicles requires complex planning and we urgently need clarity from the European Commission regarding the technical content and implementation timeline of Euro 5”.

Antti Peltomäki (Finnish), Deputy Director-General of the European Commission’s Directorate General for internal market and industry (DG GROW) said: “The motorcycle industry is undergoing similar structural changes to the ones we see in other European industries. In our recent industrial policy communication we looked into how Europe’s industrial sector can become smarter, cleaner, more sustainable and, at the same time, gain a competitive edge. We must remember that road transport still represents about 25% of Europe’s greenhouse gas emissions”.

Bernd Lange (German), member of the European Parliament: “For the urban side, we may see an increase in electrification. On the leisure side, however, the picture is different. Lots of motorcyclists like the idea of having vehicles with conventional engines. Here we need to guarantee that leisure motorcycles have the same emissions limits as cars”.

In his concluding remarks, ACEM Secretary General Antonio Perlot said:

“Motorcycles are part of today’s mobility and will continue to be so in the future. They are an answer to the mobility needs of people, particularly in urban settings, as shown by the fact that today there are about 35 million mopeds and motorcycles on Europe’s roads”.

“Regarding the future Euro 5 step it is essential that policy-makers create a clear and predictable legislative framework for the industry to plan its manufacturing operations”.

The motorcycle sector, for its part, has a forward-looking vision and will continue to invest in R&D and new and advanced safety technologies. We will also work with our counterparts with in EU institutions to secure further improvements in areas such as transport emissions and road safety”.

The European motorcycle and mopeds markets in 2017

ACEM also presented the provisional statistics for the motorcycle industry in 2017. The latest figures showed that a total of 931,445 motorcycles were registered last year. This represents a decline of 9.5% compared to 2016 registration levels. The largest motorcycle markets in Europe in 2017 were: Italy (204,579 units), France (162,828 units) and Germany (140,667 motorcycles).

On the other hand, the electric motorcycle market grew from 3,496 units in 2016 to 4,121 units in 2017 (+20.4%). However, it still remains at niche levels. Only 0.45% of all motorcycles registered in Europe in 2017 were electric.

The European moped market went from 316,662 units in 2016 to 399,426 in 2017. This represented an increase of 26%. The largest markets for mopeds in Europe were: France (107,322 units), Netherlands (86,826 units), Germany (33,254 units), Poland (29,633 units) and Italy (26,030 units).

Antonio Perlot, ACEM Secretary General, said: “The slowdown in European motorcycle market is the result of the final transition to the new Euro 4 standard. A large number of Euro 3 vehicles were registered in late 2016, which explains why fewer mopeds and motorcycles are being registered in 2017. We expect the market to perform better in the coming months, thanks to the launch of the new models that will replace older pre Euro 4 vehicles. In any case, we are still below the pre-crisis levels”.

Vehicle exhibition of new technologies

During the ACEM conference several European and international brands dispayed some of their latest models and prototypes.

The members of the RESOLVE consortium (see NOTE FOR EDITORS) presented two electric prototypes of tilting four-wheelers belonging to the L2e and the L6e category. The project was funded by the EU with 6.8 million Euros from the European Horizon 2020 programme. The consortium is composed of 14 companies that are led by Italian manufacturer Piaggio. Austrian motorcycle manufacturer KTM also participates in this project.

The members of the Connected Motorcycle Consortium (CMC), the R&D platform to foster cooperation in research and development in the field of cooperative intelligent transport systems (C-ITS) exhibited some of their latest vehicles. The CMC, which is open to a wide range of organisations including motorcycle OEM, automotive companies, automotive part suppliers and research institutions, aims promote timely and comprehensive use of C-ITS systems offering the potential to improve safety for motorcyclists.

Press materials

• Conference photos (free of copyright) 
• Conference documents (.ZIP 38.6MB)
• 2017 European market statistics (provisional) [XLS]

Note for editors

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 17 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.

About RESOLVE. The RESOLVE consortium brings together 14 European companies including PIAGGIO (leader of the consortium), KTM, BOSCH, MARELLI and other organisations. The objective of the consortium is to develop affordable, energy efficient and comfortable electric vehicles ideal for daily urban commuters. To learn more about RESOLVE and see the full list of members please visit: http://www.resolve-project.eu 

Press contact

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

Image gallery

Photos of the event available here.