JAMA: Exports flat in October
The latest figures from the Japanese Automobile Manufacturer’s Association showed motorcycle exports for the month of October grew half of a percent to 41,879 units, compared to 41,679 in October 2010.
The total value of worldwide exports of motorcycles and parts rose $39.6 million over the previous year to $385.7 million in October. Bikes made up $257.6 million of the total value and bike parts accounted for $128.1 million.
By class, exports of 50cc or under bikes rose 5.2 percent to 2,269 units; 51-125cc bikes were down 23.6 percent to 4,511 units; 126-250cc motorcycles were also down 16 percent to 7,659 units; and bikes over 250cc rose 12 percent to 27,440 units in October 2011 compared to October 2010.
Both Honda and Kawasaki increased their exports with Honda growing 22.3 percent to 11,184 units in October 2011 and Kawasaki increasing 6.6 percent to 11,126 units. Suzuki and Yamaha both fell; Suzuki dropped 17.7 percent to 5,723 units and Yamaha fell 3.6 percent to 13,846 units in October 2011.
The latest figures also showed that domestic sales of motorcycles rose by 3 percent for the month of October compared to the same period last year.
Motorcycle production fell by 3.4 percent to 56,220 units for the month of October. This is the second consecutive month that production has decreased compared to the same period of the previous year. In the 50cc or under group, bike production rose 5.3 percent to 6,981; production of 51-125cc bikes was down 23.2 percent to 6,595 units; 126-250cc unit production was down 6.4 percent to 9,903 units; and 250cc-plus unit production was up 1 percent to 32,741 units.
Domestic sales in October rose 3 percent to 30,157 units over the same period of the previous year. Domestic sales for 50cc or under were up 1.4 percent to 16,531 units; sales for 51-125cc bikes fell 5.9 percent to 9,296 units; 126-250cc unit sales were up 39.2 percent to 2,541 units; and sales for bikes over 250cc were up 41.8 percent over the same period of last year to 1,789 units.
Honda saw the greatest increase in unit production, growing 4.2 percent over October 2010 to 17,250 units. Yamaha production rose 4.1 percent over the same period of last year to 16,288 units in October 2011, and Kawasaki production rose 1.3 percent to 12,627 units. Suzuki’s production fell drastically, 25.7 percent, over the same period last year to 10,045 units.
