31 January 2024 - New motorcycle registrations in five of the largest European markets (i.e. France, Germany, Italy, Spain and the UK) reached 1.049.898 units at the end of 2023. This represents an increase of approximately 10.5% compared to the same period in 2022 (950,437 units).
Motorcycle registration volumes significantly increase in Italy (320,186 units, +18% year-on-year) and Spain (201,115 units, +13.6%). Germany (213,801 units, +7.2%) and France (206,731 units, +6.9%) also showed an upward trend, whilst volumes remained broadly stable in UK (108,065 units, -1.2%).
Moped registrations reached a total volume of 193,145 units in the six European moped markets monitored by ACEM (i.e. Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands and Spain). This registration volume represents a reduction of 24.5% in comparison to last year (255.909 units). The reduction is peaking in the Netherlands (34.027 units, -45.1%) and Germany (17.627 units, -40.5%), followed by France (75.426 units, -19.1%) and Italy (18.737 units, -13.3%), with one-digit reductions in Belgium (-3.8%) and Spain (-5.2%).
Quote. Commenting on the current situation of the sector, Antonio Perlot, ACEM Secretary General, said: “The European Powered Two-Wheeler market continued its overall growth in 2023, albeit with a mixed picture. The long-term growth trend for motorcycles is a reflection of consumers’ preferences both for daily commuting and for leisure. Depending on the National market the drop for mopeds highlights indeed a continued shift to light motorcycles, fluctuations due to rebalancing after strong growth in 2022 or a continued compression due to unfavourable urban mobility and incentives policies”.
Note. As of 2020, ACEM statistical releases cover the following: For the motorcycle segment: Italy, France, Germany, Spain and UK. These countries account for about 80% of motorcycle registrations in the EU + UK block. For the moped segment: France, the Netherlands, Germany, Italy, Belgium, and Spain. These countries account for about 80% of moped registrations in the EU + UK block. Moped figures include L1eB vehicles (two-wheel mopeds) and L2e vehicles (three-wheel mopeds). Some countries may also include L1e-A vehicles (powered cycles) depending on their administrative practices.
About ACEM. The European Association of Motorcycle Manufacturers (ACEM) represents manufacturers of mopeds, motorcycles, three-wheelers and quadricycles (L-category vehicles) in Europe. ACEM members include 18 manufacturing companies: BMW Motorrad, Bombardier Recreational Products (BRP), Ducati Motor holding, Harley-Davidson, Honda, Kawasaki, KTM, KYMCO, MV Agusta, Peugeot Scooters, Piaggio Group, Polaris Industries, Qooder, Royal Enfield, Suzuki, Triumph Motorcycles, Yamaha and Zero Motorcycles.
ACEM also represents 20 motorcycle industry associations in 17 different European countries. About 300,000 jobs depend on the L-category industry in Europe. There are more than 39 million motorcycles and scooters on Europe’s roads (2019 estimate).
(Source: ACEM press release; https://acem.eu).
Here is possible to download the Acem statistical releases January-December 2023:
acem.eu/registrations-2023-in-key-european-markets-motorcycles-up-mopeds-down
