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Japanese motorcycle production up in first six months

Motorcycle production and exports by the members of the Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association was up in June and through the first half of 2014.

Exports

Motorcycle exports from the Big Four were up for June and for the first half of the year. In June, total exports were up 20.2 percent to 31,048 units. Kawasaki reported the largest percentage increase, up 63.7 percent to 6,156 units. Honda’s exports rose 27.0 percent to 7,116 motorcycles, while Yamaha grew its exports 20.7 percent to 13,507 units. Suzuki’s exports were down 19.1 percent for the month to 4,269 units.

Exports to Asia saw the largest increase, up 110.8 percent when compared to June 2013. Exports to North America were down 15.1 percent to 10,435 units, while exports to the U.S. decreased 18.8 percent to 9,102 motorcycles. The total value of motorcycles exported for June rose 0.03 percent to $266 million including $186 million for vehicles and $79.783 million for parts.

For the first six months of the year, exports were up 10.1 percent to 232,991 units. Kawasaki exported 36,523 motorcycles through the end of June, an increase of 41.1 percent from the first half of 2013. Yamaha’s exports increased 18.1 percent to 87,589, and Honda’s exports grew 5.6 percent to 55,856 motorcycles. Suzuki’s exports decreased 9.5 percent to 53,023 units.

First-half exports to North America decreased 5.4 percent to 88,078 units, while exports to the U.S. dropped 6.5 percent to 75,326 motorcycles. The total value of motorcycles exported for the first half of the year decreased 6.8 percent to about $2.1 billion including $1.5 billion for vehicles and $493.5 million for parts

Production

In June, production by the Big Four was up 22.6 percent to 44,518 units, as each of the OEMs reported increases. As in previous months this year, Kawasaki led with the largest percentage increase, up 77.2 percent to 6,096 units produced. Yamaha reported production up 40.8 percent to 15,621 units, while Honda was up 9.8 percent to 10,872 motorcycles, and Suzuki’s production rose 1.3 percent to 11,929 units.

Each motorcycle class also saw production increases during June. The 51-125cc category experienced the largest percentage jump, up 60.1 percent to 2,837 units. The 126-250cc class was up 45.0 percent to 9,905 units; the over 250cc class saw a 14.7 percent increase to 25,239 units, and the 50cc or under group was up 14.8 percent to 6,537 units.

Through the first six months of the year, total production rose 12.7 percent to 297,214 units. Again, Kawasaki led the pack with a 64.0 percent increase to 44,578 motorcycles produced through the end of June. Yamaha and Honda also reported increases, with Yamaha up 27.2 percent to 99,576 units and Honda increasing 6.7 percent to 75,622 units. Suzuki has decreased its production through the first half of the year, down 11.0 percent to 77,131 motorcycles.

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