Mar. 9, 2009 – Chinese imports appear to be down
The number of ATV imports from China is likely to have fallen by more than half in 2008 compared to the previous year, according to Census Bureau data.
Chinese imports last year numbered more than 211,000, a nearly 57 percent decrease compared to the following year. That total number does not reflect only ATVs, however. U.S. customs and border patrol count imported ATVs as part of a larger category of motor vehicles. That category is labeled as “motor cars and other motor vehicles principally designed for the transport of persons.” To be placed in this category, imported vehicles must have spark-ignition combustion reciprocating piston engines not exceeding 1000cc. The category does not include UTVs, golf carts, PWC or snowmobiles. It does, however, include dune buggies.
ATVs appear to make up the dominant, if not overwhelming vehicle in the category, according to discussions Powersports Business had with officials familiar with the U.S. auto industry.
The public listings also do not designate by company, only the country the product was imported from.
Vehicles in this category that were imported from Japan decreased nearly 5 percent
compared to the previous year to more than 162,000 units. The total from Taiwan fell nearly 29 percent to more than 41,000.