Motorcycle sales projected to decline by 18.2% in 2020 – MCIA

Sales of motorcycles and scooters in the United Kingdom are projected to slide by 18.2% in 2020 as a direct result of the coronavirus pandemic, but there is optimism a return to normality will ensure a buoyant future.

Earlier this month the MCIA confirmed sales of PTWs for the month of March were down 21% compared with 2019 in a reflection of the lockdown measures introduced on March 23 that forced closure of all dealerships.

However, with the lockdown phase set to stretch into May, the industry is bracing for a considerably worse April 2020 in terms of sales.

Though a positive January and February helped to cushion the impact of a negative March in terms of Q1 figures – ending up 12.2% down year-on-year – the MCIA is anticipating Q2 sales to slump a full 58%. This is based on the hope a sense of normality resumes from mid-May onwards to help drive stronger sales into June.

Looking beyond this, the MCIA is confident the market will bounce back in Q3 and Q4 to reflect the gains that had been made right at the start of the year, and what led to rising sales in 2018 and 2019 before that. With this in mind, it’s hoping the annual total to still reach 87,897 registered units, which would represent a drop of 18.2% annually.

Though the UK itself remains under strict lockdown five weeks after it was initiated, there are indications across Europe that dealerships will be on course to open again from May. Today Ducati and Piaggio have resumed production in their factories, seven weeks after Italy was placed under lockdown, though the easing will continue to be done in stages.

MCIA’s figures also reflect the assumption there will be a 12-month deferral to the instigation of Euro5 emissions targets. MCIA, ACEM and all other European industry associations have requested a delay to the end of series for Euro4 models due to COVID-19.