Sales of All-Terrain Vehicles (ATVs) have remained strong, despite a fall in overall motorcycle sales for the first half of the year.
Figures released by the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries (FCAI) show 55,500 motorcycles, scooters and all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) were sold in the six months to the end of June – a 14 per cent decline compared to the same period in 2008.
“This result reflects the impact of broader economic conditions,” FCAI Chief Executive Andrew McKellar said.
“Motorcycle sales are now at the level we would expect them to be and are broadly consistent with the trends in new car sales,” he said.
ATVs are maintaining sales in line with the record 2008 results with 9,722 units sold – down just 0.1 per cent on last year.
“This indicates the value the rural sector, in particular, places on these vehicles despite tough economic conditions,” Mr McKellar said.
“It appears the Federal Government’s business tax break is helping to maintain sales in this segment,” he said.
Road-bikes were the most popular segment in the marketplace recording 20,763 sales (13.4 per cent decrease) closely followed by the off-road segment’s 19,423 sales (15.3 per cent decrease).
Scooter sales fell 29.3 per cent in the first half of the year, recording 5,592 sales compared to the record 2008 result.
Honda was the overall market leader with 11,837 half yearly sales, followed by Yamaha with 11,393 and then Suzuki with 8,212.
Looking at the segments in more detail:
- Cruisers were the strongest selling road bikes with 22.5 per cent of the market followed by 250cc on 15.5 per cent and Super Sports 12.5 per cent.
- Suzuki, with 3,563 sales, narrowly led the road bike market from Harley-Davidson with 3,548 sales with Honda third on 3,477.
- In the off-road segment, Enduro had 33 per cent of the market from Moto Cross with 28 per cent and Mini bikes with 21 per cent.
- Yamaha was market leader in the off-road segment with 5,826 sales from Honda with 4,988 and then Suzuki with 3,018.
- Agriculture had the greatest share of the ATV market (81 per cent), with Sport and Children’s ATVs each on 9.5 per cent.
Honda led the ATV market with 2,740 sales followed by Yamaha with 2,558 and Suzuki on 1568.
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Sheena Ireland, Communications Manager
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