MARCH’S POWERED TWO-WHEELER (PTW) NEW REGISTRATIONS FALL BELOW THOSE OF THE SAME PERIOD LAST YEAR, ELECTRIC EXPERIENCES MODEST GROWTH

“March’s typically anticipated boost in registrations, driven by being a plate change month, fell short with a slight -3.7% decrease when compared to March 2023. Despite this, new powered two-wheeler (PTW) registrations still performed admirably with 16,803 total registrations in the month,” says Symon Cook, Head of National Motorcycle Dealers Association (NMDA) commenting on the latest MCIA registration figures.

In March, there was a -3.7% decrease in total registrations, going down to 16,803 units from 17,443 units. Year-to-date total registrations have also experienced a slight decline of -0.2%, dropping from 28,022 units in March 2023 to 27,952 units this March. 

Total moped and motorcycle sales have decreased by -4.4% and -3.6% respectively.

The majority of motorcycle categories saw a decrease in registrations in March. However, the ‘adventure’ category saw an increase from 3,947 to 4,154 units, equating to a 5.2% increase.

Looking at the year-to-date figures, many motorcycle categories saw growth, but other categories also witnessed a drop. 'Naked' models decreased by -9.3%, from 5,883 units to 5,336 units, while 'road sport' models grew by 18.5%, climbing from 2,162 units to 2,561 units.

In the current market landscape, ICE motorbikes remain dominant to their electric counterparts, with electric registrations at 774 for 2024 year-to-date figures, an increase of 4.6% from 2023 year-to-date figures. In March, a slight increase for electric was recorded, from 319 units to 370 units (16.0%).

Year-to-date figures reveal an increase in 126-500cc motorbikes from 4,425 units to 5,334 units, with the Triumph Scrambler 400X the leading model in the category.

Honda remains the top-selling brand in the market, with 3,079 units sold in the month of March. Triumph comes in at second with 1,968 units. BMW completes the top three with 1,906 units, whilst Lexmoto completes the top 10 with 466 units.

Symon Cook concluded “As we enter spring and the peak months of the market, we should start to see new PTW registrations pick up in the next quarter. Whilst electric has seen slight growth, ICE still dominates the market share. Following a disappointing Spring Budget for the sector, we urge the Government to do more to ensure PTW’s are not left behind in the Government’s net zero plans.