MOTORCYCLE MARKET COMMENT – YTD March 2025
As calendar year 2025 starts to gain traction, most motorcycle categories/classes are showing very promising growth. The overall market is up 39,5% on the corresponding period of 2024, which is a great start to the year. However, as with many things, what happens behind the scenes provides a better sense of understanding the market.
For the three months under review, segment analysis reflects that the commercial sector continues growing very strongly and is up 44%. This on the back of 2024 growth of 24% suggests that e-commerce/delivery business is stronger than ever. Scooters performed slightly worse and is down 7%, but this may very well be as result of a shift to geared motorcycles for commercial purposes. The higher priced leisure segments show an overall increase of 15,5%, but most of this activity is in the sub 500cc segments, suggesting that the cost of smaller machines are becoming an important buying factor. It must also be noted that new model introductions boosted the larger capacity segments, together with some aggressive price marketing strategies from some Brands. Off road motorcycles are down by a marginal 1,5% but it is too early in the year to tell if this isa trend. ATV/Side x Side sales are also showing a satisfying growth with especially the agricultural segments up at 36%.
Electric 2 and 3 wheeled motorcycles continue to grow almost exponentially, with 1st quarter growth 2025 sitting at 177%. Further analysis of sales activity show that this is almost entirely commercial with the bulk being 2 wheeled motorcycles with very few entrants in this market, so we expect more activity as time goes on.
Used motorcycle sales statistics are only available up to February 2025 YTD, which is down 3,7% on the corresponding period for 2024, but it is too early to draw any conclusions from this.
The industry view remains that trading conditions will continue to be tough and very competitive given that interest rates are still relatively high and there is very little economic growth, but most industry indicators suggest a good year, albeit it skewed towards more affordable motorcycles, which is reflective of the greater automobile industry.
Issued by Arnold Olivier, National Director, AMID
