Europe 2024. European Motorcycles Market Runs At Highest In Over 25 Years

Please note data reported regards the motorcycles industry in large extended, including not only 2/3 wheelers as moped, scooter, motorcycles, but even other vehicles, like ATVs, usually included in this industry. Differently from ACEA and other local sources (like FEBIAC), we do not consider the powered-bicycles inside the industry, even because data available regards only registered bicycles and are limited to those countries (Belgium, Netherlands, France) where a plate is required.

Economic Environment

Following a prolonged and broad-based stagnation, the EU economy resumed growth in the first quarter of this year. As projected in spring, the expansion continued at a subdued, yet steady, pace throughout the second and third quarters, amidst further abating inflationary pressures. The conditions for a mild acceleration of domestic demand appear in place, despite heightened uncertainty.

This Autumn Forecast projects real GDP growth in 2024 at 0.9% in the EU and 0.8% in the euro area. For the EU, this is 0.1 pps. lower with respect to spring, while it is unchanged for the euro area. Growth in the EU is expected to pick up to 1.5% in 2025, as consumption is shifting up a gear and investment is set to rebound from the contraction of 2024.

European Motorcycles Industry Trend and Perspectives

Following the record growth reported in 2023, the European motorcycles market keeps growing up in 2024, while with huge gap among single countries performances.

The market is mirroring the economic trends inside the continent with the EU region and the UK suffering for economic low expansion.

The economy trend influence over the 2-wheeler market is clear looking at the Year to Date October 2024 continental sales (within 38 countries, from Portugal to Russia), with total figures at 2.6 million (+14.4%) projecting the best results in the last 25 years.

However, looking at single country, the differences are sharp. 

At country level, Turkey is the largest market with sales up again 36.3% after the +119.3% reported last year, ahead of Italy (+4.5%), France (-2.2%) and Germany (-3.0%).

In fifth place Spain (+5.2%) followed by UK (-3.6%) Greece (+20.9%) and the Netherlands (-5.9%).

Looking at the competitive arena, the market leader is Honda with sales up 13.1%, followed by Yamaha (+18.1%), Kuba (+55.8%), Piaggio (-7.7%) and BMW (-0.9%).

Details by country are available in the specific post we dedicate them.