REGISTRATIONS ANALYSIS

Supply issues continue to affect sales

Data published by the Motor Cycle Industry Association (MCIA) showed that registrations in July declined by 11.4% compared to last year.

July was the third consecutive month where registrations have fallen short when compared with their equivalent month in 2021. However, on a more positive note, year-to-date registrations remain 6.4% ahead of last year.

Feedback from dealers suggests that strong demand continued through July, although some dealers reported a slight slowdown recently. While the cost-ofliving crisis is having a negative effect on consumer confidence, it is not yet the major factor affecting the motorcycle market. Instead, poor supply of machinery remains the biggest hindrance to sales.

Demand for scooters and smaller capacity machines continues to be strong. With inflation and the cost of living expected to increase again later in the year, demand is likely to rise further as some people look for a cheaper mode of transport.

Paul McDonald Leisure Vehicles Editor

Cost-of-riding crisis kicks in as July registrations plummet

BDN analysis of the MCIA July 2022 registration statistics

A THIRD CONSECUTIVE MONTH of new bike registrations declining by double-digit percentages underlined the raw fact that money is now increasingly too tight to mention for many aspiring to higher-value discretionary purchases, BDN financial editor Roger Willis reports.

PR spin from the MCIA, such as its latest headline claim that “the first seven months of 2022 are now tracking at a positive 6.3% up” simply won’t wash anymore. Annualised consumer price inflation heading for at least 13% and remorselessly rising domestic energy costs will almost certainly see year-to-date PTW market data written in red ink by the time the MCIA releases the figures for September, or possibly even earlier.

Widespread shortages of desirable products in dealer showrooms, owing to global supply-chain constraints, aren’t helping either. Manufacturers freely admit that the stocking situation isn’t going to be resolved in the second half of this year.

For the record, overall July numbers were 11.4% down to 11,017 machines plated. Motorcycles were 8.6% lower at 7839. Scooters plunged by 21.5% to 2342. Mopeds went backwards by 3.8% to 744 and trikes dropped by 14% to 92.

Over-650cc motorcycles geared to moneyed leisure/enthusiast markets – and representing the prime source of cashflow for dealers – took the hardest hit, falling by 17.6% to 3687 machines. Up-to-125cc mobility and delivery fleet products retreated by 11.4% to 5025.

Sitting in between, the 126650cc sector spanning higher-end

• Great prices • No fuss website • Next day delivery*

WMD a British company with 60,000 sq ft of motorcycle parts on the south coast

TRK Clutch Kits are a brand new addition to TRK's market leading motorcycle parts catalogue, alongside their highly successful braking range

WMD Recommended Product

Huge stock ready to ship

*Terms and conditions apply

mobility to A2 entry-level or lowend leisure remained marginally positive by 0.8% on 2305. Significantly, a combined total of 325 budget-priced Royal Enfield Meteor and Classic 350cc products took a dominant 14.1% sector share, improving from an 11.4% share in the previous month.

Royal Enfield was also the unique star of the MCIA’s top-ten chart of major brands, adding 21.8% to 581 bikes in sixth spot. All the rest were losers. Honda led the field on 1804 but was 10.7% down. Yamaha executed a 34% dive to 1083. Triumph sank by 26.3% to 713. BMW Motorrad dealers registered 608 machines, 13.3% fewer than in July last year. KTM completed the top five 6% in arrears, also on 608.

Lexmoto ignominiously failed to follow Royal Enfield’s stellar performance, plunging by 19.7% to 533 – even though its wares sit in the cheap seats too. Then Kawasaki incurred a horrendous 41.3% loss to 382 in eighth place. In the back row, Ducati dropped by 6.1% to 324 and Suzuki crept in with 287.

In the aforementioned year to date, total registrations stood at 74,980, just 6.3% or 4438 units ahead. At the end of June, YTD numbers had been 10.1% or 5858 higher. During May, after the rot first set in, YTD was 19% or 8198 up.

Royal Enfield dominated the mid-capacity sector, with more than 14% sector share

Encouraging shift towards electric

July has been disappointing for the motorcycle industry, with figures well below last year. However, registrations year-to-date have increased significantly. This is a positive result as the industry faces unprecedented challenges. Supply chains remain a consistent issue whilst the cost-of-living crisis is set to impact figures further,” said Symon Cook, head of NMDA, commenting on the latest MCIA new registration figures.

“Registrations of scooters in July 2022 decreased sharply to 2925, a decline of 20%. However, the YTD registrations are recorded at 20,234, up by 2.3% compared with 2021, which was 19,780. For non-scooter mopeds and motorcycles, July 2022 saw figures of 8092, a decrease of 7.8% compared to July 2021’s 8779 registrations. There is a more positive outlook for YTD figures – an increase of 7.8% to 54,746 compared to 2021’s 50,762.

“ “With the 2030 deadline for new ICE sales on the horizon, it is positive to see that there has been a sharp increase in registrations of electric two wheelers. For the 11-15kW powerband, the July 2022 YTD figures are significantly higher than 2021’s YTD figures. “In line with government plans to ban the sale of ICE PTWs, we have seen more brands enter the market for electric motorbikes. BMW is a surprising addition to the EV market, with seven registrations for the 1115kW power bracket. “Despite a challenging year, the latest figures from the MCIA are encouraging. Although figures are down compared to July 2021, there has been a growth in YTD figures. As the industry shifts towards electric, it’s encouraging to see that electric powered two-wheelers are making strong progress.”

NATIONAL MOTORCYCLE DEALERS ASSOCIATION