International motorcycle market report – December 25, 2006

The four largest motorcycle manufacturers in Japan boosted domestic output by 2.1 percent, but cut exports by 4.1 percent in October.
Honda, Kawasaki, Suzuki and Yamaha produced 157,942 units in October, up 3,297 units compared to the production of 154,645 units in October 2005, according to the Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association (JAMA).
Two manufacturers increased production while two cut output: Suzuki produced 46,209 units in October 2006, up from 42,168 units in October 2005; Yamaha produced 40,585 units, up from 38,626 units; Honda produced 47,389 units, down from 49,201 units; and Kawasaki produced 23,739 units, down from 24,621 units.
The four manufacturers exported 127,517 units from Japan in October, down 5,517 units compared to the export of 133,034 units in October 2005.
Exports to the United States totaled 65,641 units, up from the export of 61,326 units in October 2005. Exports to Canada dropped from 5,352 units to 3,687 units.
Two manufacturers increased exports while two cut shipments: Honda exported 31,401 units globally in October, down from the export of 35,423 units in October 2005; Suzuki exported 36,239 units, down from 41,073 units; Yamaha exported 36,185 units, up from 35,724 units; and Kawasaki exported 23,692 units, up from 20,814 units.
JAMA says the total value of motorcycles exported from Japan in October was $689.58 million — $584.51 million for vehicles and $105.07 million for parts — down $19.16 million or 2.7 percent compared with an export value of $708.74 million recorded in October 2005.
Supersport Models Dominate in United Kingdom
Powersports dealers in the United Kingdom sold 118,266 motorized two-wheelers during the first 10 months of 2006, nearly equal the 118,036 units sold during the same period in 2005.
The Motor Cycle Industry Association Ltd. (MCI) represents the interests of the supply side of the U.K. motorcycle industry. The MCI said dealers sold 98,263 motorcycles and scooters with engines over 50cc in size and 20,003 mopeds, or two-wheelers with engines of 50cc or smaller.
In the motorcycle and scooter category, the supersport segment accounted for 22,492 units; followed by the naked segment with 18,749 units; scooters, 16,388 units; sport touring, 9,867 units; custom, 9,773 units; trail/enduro, 8,476 units; adventure sport/supermoto, 8,140 units; and touring with 3,003 units.
The 10 best-selling two-wheelers in the U.K. during the first 10 months of 2006 were the Honda CBR1000RR with 1,964 units; Suzuki GSX-R750, 1,852 units; Yamaha YZF-R6, 1,821 units; GSX-R600, 1,820 units; GSX-R1000, 1,792 units; Kawasaki ZX-6R, 1,636 units; CBR125R, 1,585 units; Yamaha YBR 125, 1,522 units; Honda SCV 100 Lead, 1,373 units; and BMW R1200GS, 1,287 units.
Scooters Lead Sales in Italy
Italy’s motorcycle industry association, Confindustria ANCMA, said 544,161 two-wheeled motor vehicles were sold in Italy during the first 11 months of 2006, up 2.2 percent from sales during the same 11-month period in 2005.
ANCMA said 437,908 two-wheelers with engines larger than 50cc were sold in Italy during the first 11 months of the year, up 7.3 percent from 405,941 units sold from January through November 2005. Motorcycle sales during the recent 11-month period totaled 161,152 units, up 9.6 percent; scooter sales totaled 276,756 units, up 6 percent.
Sales of two-wheelers with engines under 50cc totaled 106,253 units, down 14.6 percent.
Production, Sales Up in Brazil
Five manufacturers sold 1.061 million motorcycles in Brazil during the first 10 months of 2006, up 25.3 percent from 846,940 units sold during the same period in 2005.
An estimated 186.1 million people live in Brazil, which has an area slightly smaller than the United States. The South American country is the fifth largest motorcycle market in the world.
The organization said the five manufacturers produced 1.203 million units during the 10 months from January through October, up 18.8 percent from 1.012 million units produced during the same 10-month period in 2005. psb