NEW BIKE SALES FALL IN Q1, 2023

The Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries (FCAI) has released details on new motorcycle sales in Australia for the first quarter of 2023, with FCAI members seeing an overall drop in sales of more than 8 per cent compared to the same period in 2022.

A total of 22,374 new motorcycles and Off-Highway-Vehicles (OHV) were sold in January–March 2023 inclusive, compared to 24,388 over the same three-month period last year – a decrease of 8.1 per cent.

Road motorcycles made up 40.9 per cent of the total for the quarter with 9,150 units sold. This is a decrease of 5.9 per cent on 2022 figures. Off road motorcycles made up 36.8 per cent of the 22,374 total with 8,242 units sold, a decrease of 14.5 per cent on 2022’s numbers. Scooters accounted for 6.4 per cent of total sales, with 1,434 sold - a decrease of 15.4 per cent on 2022 figures.

Going against this trend, the OHV (aka ATV and Side-by-Side or SxS) segment grew by 8.3 per cent, with 3,548 vehicles sold in Q1, 2023, representing 15.9 per cent of total sales.

Following the withdrawal of several general and agricultural ATV models from the Australian market ahead of the introduction of mandatory OPDs (Operator Protection Devices) in late 2021, the OHV segment boomed, then plummeted, but the market’s transfer to Side-by-Sides appears to now be gathering pace.

“Primary producers and small business operators are seeing the benefits of using OHV or Side-by-Side vehicles,” says FCAI Chief Executive Tony Weber.

“When operated within the manufacturer’s specifications, these products offer a safe, user-friendly experience and provide greater mobility and utility than traditional options.”

At the same time that OPDs became mandatory, Australia’s OHV industry launched a website – sidebysidesafety.com.au - to provide consumers with advice on how to operate these vehicles safely.

“This website provides valuable information on the proper operation and handling of Side-by-Sides, including safety tips and guidelines, fire prevention and interactive training resources. We want consumers to get the most out of their product, and to remain safe while doing so,” Weber added.

As in past reports on Australia’s new bike sales figures, it needs to be noted that the numbers for Q1, 2023, only cover FCAI members and does not include non-member brands like Royal Enfield, Benelli, MV Agusta, Segway, Rieju, Super Soco and Peugeot Motocycles, all of which are distributed locally by Urban Moto Imports. The same goes for CFMoto, Sherco and Kymco bikes tat are distributed locally by Mojo Motorcycles. Combined, these brands would add at least a couple of thousand more to the total for the quarter.