New figures confirm considerable growth for the Australian bike industry this year, as the 2021 motorcycle sales boom continues despite nationwide challenges.
Australian motorcycle sales are up across all four sectors, ATV/SSV, Off-Road, Road and Scooter, with the FCAI reporting an 8.3 per cent increase in sales this year, compared to the first three quarters of 2020.
Figures show a rise in popularity for European brands like Ducati, which saw a 57.1 per cent increase in sales this year, for 1422 total sales, while English bikemaker Triumph grew 33 per cent with 1750 sales year-to-date.
Honda remains the most popular motorcycle brand in Australia, selling 21,162 units so far in 2021, followed closely by other Japanese manufacturers Yamaha (20,756) and Kawasaki (10,554).
A spokesperson from PS Importers – the Australian distributor for Triumph, Aprilia, Moto Guzzi, Vespa and Piaggio – this week told INFO MOTO that it has seen a significant increase in participation during the Covid-19 pandemic.
“PS Importers has seen an exceptionally strong uptake in motorcycle sales during lockdowns and various restrictions nationwide.
“International travel and discretionary spending are limited to the local economy, so demand for motorcycle sales is exceptionally high, if held back by constraints in supply interruptions from manufacturers and challenges with international shipping.
“Trading at a retail level have also been affected by restrictions nationwide, but dealers have adapted with Covid-safe initiatives such as contactless transactions where permitted.”
Triumph’s growth in Australia has been helped by all-new models like the LAMS-approved Trident 660, which was its best selling bike this year with 361 new registrations, followed by its Rocket 3 cruiser that has seen 165 sales.
Although Aprilia and Moto Guzzi sales are up 56 and 30.5 per cent, respectively, the local distributor told INFO MOTO that if it were not for pandemic-related supply issues, it would expect sales to be higher.
“New models from both brands have been well-received in the Australian market with strong demand putting pressure on supply.
“In fact, had there not been shipping delays from Italy, Australian sales would be even higher.”
Of all four sales sectors, the Scooter category recorded the smallest growth in 2021 (1.5%), which may be attributed to travel restrictions brought on by the Covid-19 pandemic.
“In the scooter segment, the pandemic has affected sales of small-capacity delivery scooters due to reduced international students and visitors, but sales of commuter and premium models from brands such as Piaggio and Vespa continue to perform well.”
The ATV/SSV category recorded the biggest growth of all sectors with 21,590 total sales this year (+14.1 per cent), followed by the Off-Road category with 35,120 new units sold (+10.5%), and the Road segment tallying 26,119 sales (+2.2%).
Spencer has a keen eye for hard news, and does some of his best living on deadline day. He loves more than anything to travel on his motorcycle, and is adamant that Melbourne Bitter is a world-class lager. He also knows how to operate the big computery thing in the office. By night, Spencer plays guitar with Melbourne punk outfit LOUTS.
