Japanese motorcycle production drops in 2013
Total annual motorcycle production dropped for the Big Four for the third consecutive year in 2013. Production decreased 5.4 percent to 563,169 units.
Production grew for Suzuki and Yamaha, while it decreased for Honda and Kawasaki, according to the latest statistics from the Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association (JAMA). Suzuki’s motorcycle production grew 16.0 percent in 2013 over 2012 to 173,319 units. Likewise, Yamaha was up 4.9 percent to 173,918 units. Honda reported a large decrease in its 2013 numbers, down 29.8 percent from 2012 to 141,800 units. Kawasaki’s Japanese production dropped 5.3 percent to 72,651 units.
Full-year production decreased in each motorcycle size category. The 51-125cc class dropped 30.1 percent to 27,670 units, while the 50cc and under group dropped 17.7 percent to 74,800 units. The 126-250cc category saw a 4.2 percent decrease to 88,108 units, while the over 250cc class — the OEMs’ largest — was nearly flat with a 0.1 percent decrease to 372,591 units.
December motorcycle production from the Big Four grew 12.2 percent to 786,609 units year-over-year in December 2013. Exports increased 24.0 percent to 48,164 units.
