GIVI Magazine - Novembre 2014

ENGLISH TEXT PAIN TAKES THE POLE POSITION ON THE GRID (STARTING LINEUP) THE TWO-WHEELER SECTOR IN SPAIN SEEMS TO HAVE TAKEN ON THE EXAMPLE OF THE VICTORIES OF ITS PILOTS IN THE RACING WORLD. THE PATH TO RECOVERY UNDERTAKEN PLACES IT AT THE TOP OF EUROPE. THIS CAN BE INTERPRETED AS AN OPTIMISTIC AND UPDATED VIEW OF THE MOTORBIKE WORLD. T he year 2007 was the worst year for motorcycle manufacturers and brands. In the prosperous time before the crisis, which has now pursued us for seven years, no one could have imagined that sales would drop so precipitously. Registrations dropped from 269,489 motorcycles in 2007 to 92,185 in 2013. This drop put Spain in third place in the EU, behind Greece and Italy, among the countries that recorded the greatest decline in sales. Thus we must recognize this new trend reversal as “spectacular”. Towards the end of last year, Spain began to accelerate its efforts and start a stratospheric recovery. Like a rider gaining positions after falling back in the qualifying sessions, lap after lap, until he sets the record for the circuit and wins the pole position, Spain moved ahead, with a monthly growth of 18% since the end of 2013, reaching 10 points above the European average and just 6 points above the second country in the ranking relative to sales growth: Great Britain. SCOOTERS, KING OF THE MARKET Several factors that have led to a change of mentality in Spain and to a different way of perceiving motorcycles and scooters have been crucial for this scooter phenomenon. Large displacement sport motorcycles are part of a hard core and more generally motorcycles are still perceived as the most desirable two wheeled vehicle for leisure. That said, most Spaniards have realized that to go to work and deal with chaotic city traffic, two wheeled vehicles are the most economical, less polluting, and most practical solution. Despite the absence of incentives to purchase new or used motorcycles, the mild climate has favored this trend and scooters have benefited, even in comparison with motorcycles - for the first time in Spain - not only in terms of sales volume but also for the variety of the models available. Currently the scooter market accounts for 65% of the two-wheeler market. In this context, the 125 cc sector is the one that produces the most sales and it is not until you reach the eleventh place ranking in 2014 that you find a motorcycle with a bigger displace- ment which is actually still a scooter, the TMax 530. In the 50 best-selling models there are only 14 motorcycles with an engine displace- ment greater than 125 cc. Probably the more stringent speed controls than in the past, the more reasonable prices for models up to 125 cc, and the fact that they can be ridden with a class A license all influen- ce the current market situation. Returning to motorcycles, those which had the highest increase in sales in Spain are those equipped with medium and high displacement engi- nes. Also in this sector there is a clear trend change to considering a motorcycle a vehicle which is “not just for leisure.” Multi-purpose models are sought, making it possible to go to work, travel or enjoy on different roads. This is why naked and enduro models have had a captions SEE MORE PICTURES 1) FOR THE FIRST TIME SCOOTERS EXCEED MOTORCYCLE SALES! 2) LAST YEAR THERE WAS AN 18 PERCENT INCREASE IN THE NUMBER OF MOTORCYCLE REGISTRATIONS 3) TODAY THE WAY THE MOTORCYCLE IS PERCEIVED HAS CHANGED prominent place, above all the Kawasaki Z800 and the BMW R1200GS. THE CHARACTERISTICS OF THE MARKET: MOPEDS HAVE DISAPPEARED In all of these positive notes there is an aspect to be evaluated for the possible repercussions which could result: in Spain mopeds are a dying breed. The recent reforms, the increase in VAT, the increase in costs for a motorcycle license and insurance, together with the increase in the age to drive a two-wheel motor vehicle have caused a significant drop in sales of mopeds, which has reached historic lows. We’re talking about an 80% drop in the last five years. From 132,479 units sold in 2006, we dropped to 15,000 last year: about 10% of the units sold eight years ago! The access door to the mo- torcycle world is about to close forever. Aside from the economic impact for industry, this is a trend that will change the motorcycle culture of a country that has dealt with two wheeled vehicles since its preadolescence. Apart from this aspect which should be evaluated more ca- refully, the desire to own a motorcycle does not seem to have diminished. The number of websi- tes devoted to two wheeled vehicles is growing exponentially worldwide. Each day, hundreds of thousands of people consult the internet in search of information about accessories, new models, competitions, regulations and laws. Spaniards want to hop on a bike, whether it is a dream or a solution to their needs. SOURCES ANESDOR : ACEM 32  mercato