Summary
The global motorcycle market has experienced significant international growth, with the Asia-Pacific region being the largest contributor, accounting for 66% of market share. In 2021, the market reached an estimated value of $119.33 billion worldwide, with an anticipated growth rate of 8.4% p.a. that should take it to $223.5 billion by 2029. Despite the negative impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in early 2020, the market rebounded effectively in the months that followed.
Fluctuations and future prospects in the dynamic motorcycle market
In recent years, the motorcycle market in France, Europe's second largest, has shown a complex but steadily growing pattern, thanks to a myriad of factors influencing demand. This trend is reflected in a keen interest in the various motorcycle segments, from mopeds to large-displacement motorcycles to small bikes. More specifically, despite a tumultuous period marked by the Covid-19 pandemic, the market has seen exceptional growth in almost all segments, with the trade and repair sector leading the way at 89% in 2021. Motorized two-wheelers continue to enjoy steady popularity in the country, with an estimated total of almost 2.9 million, demonstrating a stable trend over the past decade. Households owning at least one motorized two-wheeler stood at around 8.7% in 2020.
A noteworthy trend is the slight increase in new registrations after a period of decline. Motorcycles (63.4%) account for the bulk of these new registrations, the remainder being mopeds (36.6%). Among the different types of motorcycle, street bikes are the most widely registered, while the average age of motorized two-wheelers is around 12.5 years, indicating an ageing fleet. Interestingly, while motorcycles lead the way in registrations, it's mopeds that have a younger demographic, with an average age of around 10.5 years. This contrast highlights the appeal of two-wheelers for different age groups. If we look more closely at each segment, vehicles under 50 cm³ are the most popular, with around 93,324 new registrations, a figure that exceeds the 50-125 cm³ and 500-750 cm³ segments. At the same time, demand for electric two-wheelers has grown spectacularly, although sales volume suffered a setback in 2020, perhaps due to the pandemic. The adaptability and resilience of the motorcycle market were indeed put to the test during the initial Covid-19 epidemic, when sales indices plummeted.
The trend is towards cleaner vehicles, with stricter EURO 5 emission standards coming into force in 2020, pointing to a future change in market composition. In terms of trade, the French motorcycle sector recorded a substantial deficit of -$1.558 billion in 2021, while the nation's main motorcycle trading partners were Germany, Italy and Spain.
Key players shaping the motorcycle market landscape
The motorcycle market is a complex web woven by a myriad of key players who significantly influence the industry, each of whom is involved in different facets of the market - from manufacturing and innovation to distribution and after-sales services.
- Manufacturers at the forefront
On the front line are the manufacturers, who play an essential role in the research, design and assembly of new motorized two-wheelers. International giants such as Yamaha, with subsidiaries like MBK Industrie in France, Honda, BMW, Suzuki, and Ducati, are renowned for their wide range of motorcycles aimed at different segments, including sports bikes, roadsters and cruisers.
In addition, Harley Davidson is synonymous with the iconic cruiser segment, while Peugeot Motocycles, a subsidiary of Mahindra & Mahindra, emphasizes the French influence in manufacturing.
These manufacturers are constantly pushing technological boundaries and adapting to stringent emissions regulations, such as EURO standards. Cutting-edge technology, improved safety features and a move towards electric two-wheelers testify to their commitment to innovation and environmental sustainability.
- Distributors
Distributors, crucial players who provide more than just retail services, create the bridge to consumers. Dealers also serve as service and repair centers, offering professional advice and product trials to customers.
Institutions like Paris Nord Moto embody these multi-faceted outlets.
- Specialized online platforms bring motorcyclists into the digital age
The rise of digital platforms has also modernized motorcycle sales. Le Bon Coin and La Centrale are generalist online marketplaces that complement physical retailers by facilitating access to a wide range of motorcycles and related accessories.
Platforms such as Le repaire des motards and Motoservices provide niche content and facilitate specific market segments, complementing the traditional dealer model.
- The emergence of the electric era
The electric motorcycle market is a distinctive segment that has attracted a lot of attention. Stimulated by ecological concerns and government incentives, brands such as Super Soco and Niu have carved out a niche for themselves. Their growing popularity, aided by subsidies and collective environmental awareness, heralds a new era in two-wheeled motorized transport.
Traditional manufacturers are innovating in sustainable ways, while distributors are evolving by embracing digital means to reach the enthusiast community. Together, these players are driving the motorcycle market forward.
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- Number of pages : 30 pages
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- Last update : 12/03/2024
Summary and extracts
1 Market overview
1.1 Market overview and definition
The motorcycle market covers all motorized two-wheelers. It covers the different categories of motorcycles: 50 cc (cm³) (mopeds), 51 to 125 cc (motorcycles and small-displacement bikes) and over 125 cc (motorcycles and large-displacement bikes).
The market is made up of manufacturers and their production sites, importers, spare parts wholesalers, dealers (distributors and repairers) and online used bike sales platforms. The main players are distributors and manufacturers.
- Distributors of motorcycles and spare parts are not only sales outlets, but also maintenance and repair centers operating as dealers, independents or distribution networks.
- Manufacturers, some of whom have production facilities in France, such as Japan's Yamaha (MBK Industrie) or India's Mahindra & Mahindra (Peugeot Motocycles).
The global motorcycle market is experiencing strong international growth, thanks in particular to demand from Southeast Asian countries, where the practical, accessible motorcycle is often more popular than the car as a means of daily transport.
The French market enjoyed a good year in 2022, with growth in almost all segments. In 2023, however, the French market contracted very slightly, but remained Europe's second-largest in terms of sales. The market obviously experienced a downturn in March and April 2020, due to the Covid-19 crisis, but this does not seem to have damaged its pre-crisis momentum, since sales in the sector are at pre-Covid levels.
The French market is primarily driven by demand from the very large French enthusiast community. Consumption is driven by a positive image of motorcycling, based on the values conveyed by sporting events (Moto GP, cross-country, enduro, etc.)
1.2 Global and European market conditions
The global market
In ****, the global motorcycle market was estimated at US$**.** billion. Motorcycle sales are expected to grow at an average rate of *.*% per year between **** and ****, reaching $***.** billion.
Global motorcycle market size **** - **** * projections
Worldwide motorcycle sales are mainly concentrated in the Asia-Pacific region, which will account for **% of ...
1.3 A growing French market across all segments and vehicle types
The motorcycle market has two dimensions: motorcycle manufacturing (***)
Class **.**Z (***) comprises :
manufacture of motorcycles, mopeds and cycles fitted with auxiliary engines manufacture of motorcycle engines manufacture of side cars manufacture of motorcycle parts and accessories
Class **.**Z (***) comprises :
wholesale and retail sale of motorcycles, including mopeds and snowmobiles wholesale and retail ...
1.4 The impact of Covid-19 and reaction to the crisis
As in many markets, the impact of Covid-** was severely felt in motorcycle sales from March to May ****, during the first containment period. The market, which had been growing at a brisk pace, was forced to halt its activity during the months of the health crisis. Insee reports the market's gross ...
1.5 Foreign trade in motorcycles
The harmonized customs system provides access to French motorcycle imports and exports. Code ****: Motorcycles (***) and cycles fitted with auxiliary motor, with or without sidecars; sidecars, and data from the UN Comtrade database for this code are reported in the following graphs.
We can see that imports and exports have increased slightly ...
2 Demand analysis
2.1 The motorcycle fleet in France
In ****, the total number of motorized two-wheelers registered in France was estimated at *.* million[***] The number of motorized two-wheelers has remained stable for a decade.it was *.** million in ****, for example, and *.*** million in ****.
In terms of new motorized two-wheeler registrations, we can see that after a decline between **** and **** (***).
New ...
2.2 The vehicles most in demand
Demand by vehicle power
The vehicles most in demand in **** will be under ** cm* (***). The ***-*** cm* segment completes the podium with **,*** new registrations. note that ***-*** cm* and **** cm*+ motorcycles are the least popular models.
New motorcycle registrations by cubic capacity France, ****, in number of registrations Source: ****
Demand by ...
2.3 Demand for electric vehicles
Demand for electric two-wheelers saw very strong growth between **** and ****, where sales of electric machines increased by a factor of *.* between **** and ****. Then, the electric segment experienced a significant decline, where sales volume is divided by *.* in ****. This can be explained in part by the closure of stores during the confinements ...
2.4 Using the motorcycle
The place of the motorcycle among other means of transport
In ****, the car remains by far the most popular means of transport for daily travel (***).
These are the most common means of transport: beyond that, other modes are used much more marginally. Motorcycles and scooters are used by just *% of the ...
2.5 Demographic factors
Gender of motorcycle users
Motorcycle users are mainly men (***). In ****, women accounted for **% of motorcycle users. Overall, women use smaller displacement motorcycles than men. In fact, **% of women have a displacement of less than *** cm, compared with **% of men.
Gender of two-wheeler users France, ****, in Source: ****
Fleet breakdown by engine size ...
2.6 The public image of motorcycles
Motorcycles enjoy a good image with the majority of French people, with **% declaring that they have a very good or fairly good image of motorcycles and two-wheelers. Motorcycling is even more popular with men, **% of whom have a good image of it.
French image of motorcycles and two-wheelers France, ****, in Source: ...
3 Market structure
3.1 The market value chain
Below is a simplified value chain for the motorcycle market:
Source: ****
Manufacturers (***) are the players in the first and second stages of the above value chain. They design the vehicles and assemble the components. However, most component manufacturing is outsourced.
The main players in distribution to end consumers are dealers. These ...
3.2 Production sites in France
The market in France can be split into *: producers (***) and sellers/repairers. This section deals with production sites.
To analyze motorcycle production, we use the following NAF code: **.**Z: Manufacture of motorcycles:
Manufacture of motorcycles, mopeds and cycles fitted with auxiliary engines; Manufacture of motorcycle engines; Manufacture of side cars; Manufacture ...
3.3 Sales and repair in France
The second largest segment of the motorcycle market in France is motorcycle sales and repair (***).
The sales and repair market saw a decline in the number of establishments until ****, with a rebound since ****. Between the second-hand market and its many private resellers, notably through online platforms such as Le Bon Coin ...
4 Offer analysis
4.1 Price level
The graph below shows the evolution of the consumer price index (***) for motorcycles in France between January **** and January ****. The consumer price index is used to estimate the average change in prices of products consumed by households.
Motorcycle consumer price index France, January **** - August ****, base *** in **** Source: ****
Market prices therefore ...
4.2 The different types of motorcycles and their prices
The speedway.fr website reports on * main categories of motorcycles found on the French market.
Road bikes
There are three types of motorcycles in the "touring" category: firstly, "touring" motorcycles. These aremotorcycles designed for long-distance journeys, with larger dimensions and better protection (***), and are designed to cover long distances at high ...
4.3 Supply trends: electric motors and technological innovations
Electric motorcycles
The market for electric motorcycles has grown considerably in recent years. The range of electric models, which initially focused on scooters (***), has now been extended to motorcycles. Indeed, more and more motorcycle brands are offering zero-emission alternatives to traditional combustion engines. [***] Among the companies bringing electric models to market, ...
5 Regulations
5. Regulatory aspects of the market
EURO standards
Since ****, Euro standards have regulated emissions of the main known pollutants emitted by vehicle exhausts. These pollutants are :
Nitrogen oxides, better known as NOx; Carbon monoxide, CO ; Hydrocarbons; Particulate matter.
Gradually, these standards are designed to bring about a change in the motorcycle fleet, making it cleaner and less ...
6 Positioning the players
6. Player segmentation
- La Centrale Groupe
- Media Prod (Moto Services)
- AFL Communication (Moto85.com)
- ADS4ALL (Le Parking-Moto)
- WINTEAM FULLOCCAZ.com
- Lerepairedesmotards.com
- Lys Moto
- Honda Motorcycle
- Peugeot Motocycles
- Yamaha Motor
- BMW Mottorrad
- Moto Guzzi
- Moto Shop 2000
- GATE32 S.R.L.
- Honda Roma
- ParuVendu.fr
- Furygan
List of charts
- Motorcycle sales in major European countries
- Trends in the size of the global motorcycle market
- Motorcycle market size in France
- New registrations of mopeds and motorcycles
- Breakdown of new registrations between motorcycles and mopeds
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the motorcycle market | France
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