Japan OEMs increase bike shipments to U.S. – May 15, 2006

While Japan’s four main motorcycle manufacturers produced and exported fewer motorcycles worldwide in February and March compared to the same two months in 2005, figures provided by the Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association (JAMA) show shipments to the United States have increased.
Honda, Kawasaki, Suzuki and Yamaha together produced 154,969 units in February, down 1,723 units or 1.1 percent compared to the production of 156,692 units in February 2005.
JAMA says Honda produced 45,178 units, down from 48,563 units; Kawasaki produced 20,766 units, down from 20,824 units; Suzuki produced 46,766 units, up from 42,886 units; and Yamaha produced 42,235 units, down from 44,383 units in February 2005.
The four manufacturers exported 122,736 units during the month, down 10,782 units or 8.1 percent compared to the 133,518 units exported in February 2005.
Honda exported 33,263 units in February, down from 34,504 units in February 2005; Kawasaki exported 19,443 units, down from 19,646 units; Suzuki exported 37,299 units, up from 34,176 units; and Yamaha’s shipments totaled 32,731 units, down from 45,192 units in February 2005.
The total value of motorcycles exported in February was $773.39 million, including $649.58 million for vehicles and $123.81 million for parts. This is a decrease of $8.42 million or 1.1 percent compared to an export worth of $781.81 million recorded in February 2005.
JAMA says Honda, Kawasaki, Suzuki and Yamaha shipped 49,668 units to the United States in February, up from 47,395 in February 2005.
March Production, Export
JAMA said Japan’s four main motorcycle manufacturers produced 172,071 units in March, down 5,182 units or 2.9 percent compared to the production of 177,253 units during March 2005.
JAMA said Honda produced 47,654 units in March, down from 54,322 units in March 2005; Kawasaki produced 28,304 units, up from 22,498 units; Suzuki produced 50,244 units, down from 53,662 units; and Yamaha produced 45,830 units, down from 46,695 units in March 2005.
Manufacturers exported 121,926 units in March, down 6,907 units or 5.4 percent compared to 128,833 units recorded for the same month last year.
Motorcycles exported during the month were valued at about $792 million, including $666 million for vehicles and $126 million for parts, representing a decrease of $26.15 million or 3.2 percent compared to $818.17 million recorded for March 2005.
Honda exported 23,316 units from Japan in March, down from 30,789 units in March 2005; Kawasaki exported 27,784 units, up from 20,961 units; Suzuki exported 30,873 units, down from 36,566 units; and Yamaha exported 39,953 units, down from 40,517 units in March 2005.
The four manufacturers shipped 44,451 units to the United States in March, up from 37,197 units shipped in March 2005.