European Motorbike Market Upholds COVID-Fueled Sales Upswing In 2022
Aprilia, Royal Enfield, and Zontes reported the most growth.
In addition to the ongoing health threat, the COVID-19 pandemic has wreaked havoc on industries around the globe. Within the motorcycling world, that includes transport difficulties, resource shortages, and inflation woes. Despite those supply chain pitfalls, enthusiasts continued to flock to showrooms.
Halfway through 2022, customers made it evident that the COVID-fueled sales spike had carried its momentum into the new year. At that time, the United Kingdom posted an 11.1-percent jump in sales (compared to H1 2022). Italy wasn’t so fortunate, however, reporting a modest 1.8-percent decline during the same period.
Those lackluster numbers didn’t stop the Mediterranean nation from rallying in the second half of the year, though. Through November, 2022, Italy recorded the most significant improvement over 2021 figures with an 8.5-percent uptick in sales. France followed close behind with 7.6-percent growth while Germany rounded out the top three with a 5.3-percent surge. Spain rose by 4.1 percent and the U.K. upped its totals by 3.2 percent, but the market in the Netherlands contracted by 11.2 percent.
Among the OEMs, Aprilia outperformed its 2021 sales stats by 49.6 percent. The House of Noale racked up 33,264 sold units through the first 11 months of 2022. Behind Aprilia, Royal Enfield reported a 36.6-percent sales upswing while Chinese brand Zontes impressed with a 41.3-percent improvement.
Analysts also attributed part of the overall market growth to electric motorcycles and scooters. The EV scooter segment alone represented 11 percent of yearly sales while the category expanded at a rate of 38.4 percent. Those positive returns fueled the industry to an 11.6-percent sales spurt (on 87,966 units sold) in November, 2022. Within that time, manufacturers sold 1.49M units (+0.6 percent), which accounts for the highest level witnessed in 15 years.
The European motorcycle market may still have to contend with the aftermath of COVID-19, but customers continue to drive record-setting sales figures.
A Year to Remember:
Sources: Motociclismo, Motorcycles Data, Market Screener
RECOMMENDED FOR YOU
Are You Really Getting The Gasoline You Pay For At the Fuel Pump?
Guess What, Royal Enfield Is Upping Its Flat-Track Ante With the Sherpa Mk 2
People Have Figured Out How to Track The Lowest Gas Prices Near You
KTM's On The Road To Recovery, Just Ask Its Q1 2026 Financial Report
Scout Motors' New Range Extended EV Truck Doesn't Have Great Towing Capacity, But Neither Do Most EV Trucks
The Supposedly Vaporware All-Electric Motorcycle Might Actually Be Real
Yamaha Is "Streamlining" US Business, Sells California HQ And Moves To Georgia