Aus motorcycle sales growth continues in 2021
The ‘Covid Boom’ in new motorcycle sales that kicked off in 2020 and saw a year-on-year sales increase of 22.1 per cent over 2019’s numbers has continued into 2021, with more than 55,000 new bikes and OHVs sold in the first six months of the year – an increase of more than 5 per cent on the same period in 2020.
From January to the end of June 2021, a total of 55,840 new motorcycles, scooters and off highway vehicles were sold - an increase of 3,001 on the corresponding period last year. Of the four main market segments – Road Bikes, Off-Road Bikes, Off Highway Vehicles and Scooters - all except OHVs recorded increased sales for the 6-month period.
“This steady growth of 5.7 per cent over the same period in 2020 shows us that there is strong demand from buyers who want to use a motorcycle as their first choice for the daily commute and for recreation,” said FCAI Chief Executive Tony Weber.
“As cities and communities continue on the path of returning to the workplace, we are seeing signs that motorbikes are an ideal choice for reducing congestion on our roads.”
The road bike segment saw 17,331 sales - an increase of 13.7 per cent, or 2,088 units, on the first half of 2020, when 15,243 units were sold.
After a stellar performance last year, the off-road motorcycle market settled in the first half of 2021, but still saw growth, with 22,231 units sold – a 6.4 per cent increase on 2020 numbers.
Scooter sales saw the biggest increase for the half-year, up by 15.4 per cent, with 2,499 units sold, compared to 2,166 sales in the first six months of 2020.
Sales of Off Highway Vehicles (OHVs, aka quads and side-by-sides) slowed considerably after significant growth last year. Total sales of 13,779 was down by 5.3 per cent over the same period in 2020. Some of this decrease can be attributed to the contentious Operator Protection Devices (OPD) that will become mandatory on all new ATVs sold in Australia from 11 October, 2021. This led many importers to withdraw their ATVs from the Australian market over the past 18 months and focus on SxS vehicles.