World Motorcycles Demand to Reach 114 Million Units in 2013

Global demand for motorcycles, including electric bicycles and mopeds, is forecast to increase 7.6 percent per year through 2013 to 114 million units, spurred by rising standards of living in developing parts of the world, which are making motorcycles a more affordable alternative to walking, bicycling or using mass transit.  Sales value will expand at a slower pace, climbing 7.2 percent annually to $66.6 billion in 2013, because of an expected decline in sales-weighted prices due to fast market growth in low priced electric motorcycles and smaller internal combustion engine (ICE) motorcycles.  These and other trends, including market share and product segmentation, are presented in World Motorcycles (including  Electric Bicycles & Mopeds), a new study from The Freedonia Group, Inc., a Cleveland-based industry research firm.

Electric motorcycles, which are extremely popular in China but account for a minimal share of demand in most other parts of the world, will register the strongest market advances.  Sales of battery-powered bicycles, scooters and other two-wheelers will be driven by their generally lower purchase prices, low cost of operation and lack of harmful emissions.  However, ICE motorcycles will continue to account for more than 95 percent of all demand outside of China in 2013.  Light motorcycles will outperform other ICE product types and maintain their position as the largest single segment of the motorcycle market.

The strongest sales advances through 2013 will be registered in the Africa/Mideast region.  This will be due to several factors, including the fastest population growth of any region, the lowest median age and the lowest (but climbing) per capita GDP.  Population increases and higher standards of living will also help stimulate demand in the Asia/Pacific region, which will post the second strongest gains, followed by Eastern Europe (rising from a very small current market base) and Latin America.  China alone will account for 55 percent of all additional sales through 2013, spurred by very strong electric motorcycle demand and solidifying its position as the biggest national motorcycle market.  Growth is also expected to be healthy in Indonesia and lower-volume markets like Nigeria, the Philippines and Vietnam.

The Freedonia Group is a leading international business research company, founded in 1985, that publishes more than 100 industry research studies annually. This industry analysis provides an unbiased outlook and a reliable assessment of an industry and includes product segmentation and demand forecasts, industry trends, demand history, threats and opportunities, competitive strategies, market share determinations and company profiles.