While motorcycle sales in the United States continue to slip, this is not the case across the pond (and in the world at large), with the European Union quoting a nearly 10% increase during 2018 in the number of motorcycles registered.
In total, 1,004,063 motorcycles were registered last year in the EU, according to the figures published by the European Association of Motorcycle Manufacturers (ACEM). This represents an increase of 9.9% compared to the figures from 2017.
In terms of regional growth, Italy remains Europe’s largest market for motorcycles, with 219,694 motorcycles registered (+7.4%). France was the second-largest market with 177,460 motorcycles registered (+9%), and Spain became the third-largest market, edging out Germany which held the spot in 2017, with 159,946 motorcycles registered (+17.5%).
These figures include both two and three-wheeled vehicles with an engine capacity above 50cc, as well as electric motorcycles, but not electric bicycles.
Of note is the drop we are seeing in the moped segment in Europe, which was down 31.5% last year. This is thought primarily to be the result of electric moped options, which grew by almost 47% last year, with 39,701 units sold. Ride sharing could also be taking a slice of the moped market, as the transportation landscape continues to change around the world.
However, the ACEM attributes the loss of moped sales to the changes in the Euro4 regulations. Surely as Euro5 comes online in the next two years, this will have further impact on the space.
Another interesting note is the growth of electric motorcycles in Europe, which made a solid gain of 81.5% – though this only translates into 7,478 being registered. In other words, electrics motorcycles still only account for 0.75% of the total European motorcycle registrations last year.
Source: ACEM
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