Shortage of product contributes to modest increase in motorcycle sales – NMDA

High expectations of growth in motorcycle sales for March 2016 were tempered somewhat by low product supply. While the market started strongly this year, overall growth was only 1.6 per cent compared with March 2015. “Following a strong start to 2016, the NMDA had high expectations that March would follow suit on the back of the new 16-plate change, however the market was up by only 230 bikes compared to March 2015 – marking an overall growth of just 1.4 per cent”, said Stephen Latham, head of the National Motorcycle Dealers Association (NMDA) which represents motorcycle retailers across the UK.

Latham continued: “The market remains stable, but we believe that a shortage in product supply in certain models could be to blame.

“The sub 50cc market was down -6.9 per cent, registering only 845 units. Larger bikes over 51cc fared better with 1.9 per cent growth, registering a total of 15,664 machines. As expected this market tends to perform well in the month of March as riders tend to opt for a better, more powerful machine along with the latest number plate.

“Both sectors combined left the market up 1.4 per cent and the year-to-date figure up a healthy 7.6 per cent – meaning almost 2000 more motorcycles have been registered in 2016 compared to this time last year.

“The most significant growth came from the 651-1000c sector which was up 9.5 per cent. Within this sector the Triumph Bonneville Street Twin bike clocked up 246 registrations in the month.

“As with previous months, Honda led the manufacturer brands in volume terms with over 3000 sales, followed by Yamaha who registered almost 2000 sales, and BMW in third place with 1688 registrations.

“Overall, dealers are confident that 2016 will outperform last year’s market, however a greater growth is needed in the typically quieter months similar to this one in order to achieve this.”