Registrations of motorcycles continue increasing in the first nine months of 2021, exceeding pre-pandemic levels

03 Nov 2021

Registrations of motorcycles continue increasing in the first nine months of 2021, exceeding pre-pandemic levels

In the first nine months of 2021, motorcycle registrations in five of the largest European markets (i.e. France, Germany, Italy, Spain and UK) rose by 10.6% compared to the same period of 2020, totalling 792,819 units.

As expected, due to the different impact of COVID-19 disruptions in Spring 2020, almost all the main national markets registered volume gains in 2021 compared to the same period in 2020, with Italy showing the biggest increase (+27.9%). UK, Spain and France also performed well, seeing a 13.5%, 8.7% and 8.5% increase, respectively, while in Germany new registrations decreased slightly (-4.9%).

The moped segment remained overall steady in the six European moped markets covered (i.e. Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands and Spain) compared to last year’s figures, reaching a total of 206,751 units in the first nine months of 2021 (-0,2% compared to the same period in 2020).

For a better comparison, considering pre-pandemic registration data, nine months into 2021 the European motorcycle market is showing signs of growth (792,819 units for January-September 2021 against 732,594 units for January-September 2019, representing a 8.2% increase). The moped market follows a similar trend: over the same period of time, with 206,751 units registered, representing a 6.8% increase on a year-on-year basis.

Quote

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

“In aggregate, the registration figures for the first nine months of 2021 confirm market recovery after the impact of COVID-19 in the first months of last year, which had overall put the sector under unprecedented stress.

More importantly, the latest data confirms that powered two-wheeler markets in Europe have globally surpassed pre-Covid-19 figures, with significant increases for motorcycles and for mopeds.”

“These interim 2021 results could have been even more positive, if it weren’t for the global semiconductor shortage affecting the automotive sector, and indirectly causing logistical delays for some motorcycle manufacturer’s production”.

“The last quarter figures will tell us if these trends are confirmed, but altogether, the numbers confirm that powered two-wheelers remain an attractive and convenient solution for mobility and leisure activities.”