MarketWatch Scooter Industry Worldwide sales part 2

According to International Dealer News sales in Germany are up, sales in Italy are down year on year.

Also, Chinese sales and exports are down Year on Year and Month on Month.

Our good friend Dave McMullan sent us this report on the state of China.

 Chinese Motorcycle Export Declines Y-o-Y & M-o-M Respectively

Chinese Motorcycle Output & Sales Destined to Plunge

The accumulative total output and sales of the Chinese motorcycle industry declined less than 10% for 5 consecutive months due to the influences of the economic growth slowdown of China, the European debt crisis and the worsened inflation of developing countries since the beginning of 2012. Judging from the current situation, it is a foregone conclusion that output and sales of the Chinese motorcycle industry will plunge. The recovery of the industry awaits the adjustment of China's policies and the improvement of overseas situation.

Motorcycle Output & Sales Remain Low, Chinese Motorcycle Industry Facing Gloomy Prospects

The output and sales of the Chinese motorcycle industry between January and August were 15.4992 million units and 15.6362 million units, down 11.44% and 10.82% year-on-year respectively. The total number of motorcycles sold in China was 9.6298 million units, down 8.77% from a year ago.

Motorcycle output and sales of the Chinese motorcycle industry in August were 1.9572 million units and 1.9905 million units, up 2.16% and 4.22% month-on-month respectively, down 11.44% and 10.82% year-on-year respectively. The number of motorcycles sold in China in August was 1.246 million units, up 9.08% month-on-month, up 4.03% year-on-year. Motorcycle sales in China in August saw great increase due to peak season sales.

The output and sales of two-wheeled motorcycles in August were 1.7649 million units and 1.7968 million units, up 1.87% and 3.78% month-on-month respectively, down 11.26% and 10.52% year-on-year respectively. August saw rapid growth of motor-tricycles sales. Motor-tricycle output and sales in August were 192,300 units and 193,800 units, up 5.00% and 8.42% month-on-month respectively, up 14.70% and 11.43% year-on-year respectively.

The total output and sales of cruisers between January and August were 8.7667 million units and 8.8295 million units, down 13.87% and 13.30% year-on-year respectively, accounting for 56.56% of the total output. The output and sales of cruisers in August were 1.1294 million units and 1.1371 million units, up 5.54% and 5.36% month-on-month and down 13.33% and 13.40% year-on-year respectively.

The output and sales of cubs between January and August were 3.0904 million units and 3.1274 million units, down 13.50% and 13.80% year-on-year respectively, taking up 19.94% of the total output. The number of cubs made and sold in August was 367,900 units and 384,600 units, output down 3.32% month-on-month, and sales up 2.75% month-on-month.

The total output and sales of scooters between January and August were 2.142 million units and 2.177 million units, down 3.95% and 1.46% year-on-year respectively, taking up 13.82% of the total output. The number of scooters manufactured and sold in August was 267,700 units and 275,000 units, down 5.07% and 0.95% month-on-month respectively, and up 0.15% and 5.93% from 2011 respectively.

Only the Sales of 150ml Motorcycles Remain Growing Slightly among the Major Displacement Motorcycles

Among major displacement motorcycles, only the 150ml motorcycles remain a growth of 5.2% since the beginning of 2012, and the rest of them have had various decline. The 125ml motorcycles which occupy the majority of motorcycle output and sales had the most decrease. The total output and sales of 125ml motorcycles between January and August were 5.6361 million units and 5.6878 million units, down 16.80% and 15.87% year-on-year respectively. The production and sales of the 125ml motorcycles in August were 704,700 units and 710,600 units, up 3.46% and 3.77% month-on-month, and down 16.11% and 14.59% year-on-year respectively.

The output and sales of 110ml motorcycles are second to those of 125ml motorcycles. Its total output and sales between January and August were 2.6519 million units and 2.7013 million units, down 9.42% and 9.06% from 2011 respectively. The output and sales of 110ml motorcycles in August were 323,300 units and 338,800 units, output down 1.68% month-on-month and sales up 4.85% month-on-month, down 4.83% and 2.09% year-on-year respectively.

The 150ml motorcycle is the only model that maintains sales growth in 2012 due to the increased economic growth in Western China. The total output and sales of 150ml motorcycles between January and August were 2.7831 million units and 2.8111 million units respectively, up 5.20% and 5.97% year-on-year respectively. The production and sales of 150ml motorcycles in August were 387,800 units and 389,500 units, up 3.09% and 2.58% month-on-month, and up 10.98% and 6.79% year-on-year, showing obvious growth.

The sales performance of 50ml motorcycles was good in the first half of 2012. It's one of the few models that maintained sales growth among major displacement motorcycles in the first half of 2012. However, its output and sales plunged upon entering the second half of 2012. The total output and sales of 50ml motorcycles between January and August were 1.249 million units and 1.2569 million units, down 7.40% and 7.56% from 2011 respectively.

The month-on-month output and sales growth of 50ml motorcycles was great in August. Its output and sales both increased by about 10% respectively, but not as good as those of last year. The output and sales of 50ml motorcycles in August were 143,200 units and 151,600 units, up 7.06% and 10.39% from a month ago, down 21.94% and 18.61% year-on-year respectively.

The sales performance of 250ml motorcycles was not as good as that of last year due to the decline of Chinese motorcycle export in 2012. The total output and sales of 250ml motorcycles between January and August were 451,500 units and 449,100 units, down 7.14% and 7.11% from 2011 respectively, decreasing amplitude worsened a little. The output and sales of 250ml motorcycles in August were 72,300 units and 70,300 units, up 10.49% and 10.57% from a month ago, down 7.21% and 8.11% year-on-year respectively.

Output & Sales of Motor-tricycles Rebounded, Their Accumulative Decreasing Rate Lessened

Motor-tricycles are mostly used as goods transports by farm workers and dwellers of towns and small cities that run business. Due to the economic growth slowdown and soaring commodity prices in the first half of 2012, many consumers suspended or quit their motor-tricycles purchase plans which lead to the gradual decrease of motor-tricycle's output and sales. However, motor-tricycle sales rebounded greatly in August due to the seasonal peak period.

The output and sales of motor-tricycles between January and August were 1.5001 million units and 1.5022 million units, down 1.39% and 0.73% respectively from a year ago, decreasing amplitude shrank by 2 percentage points. As motor-tricycles are mostly used for transporting goods, so their displacements are mostly the 150ml (100ml

We can conclude that motor-tricycle sales rebound in August were mostly driven by the sales increase of 250ml motor-tricycles. This proves that farm workers and low-income group tend to buy vehicles with bigger load. The total sales of the above two displacements motor-tricycles between January and August accounted for 92.20% of the total motor-tricycle output.

The output and sales of motor-tricycles in August were 192,300 units and 193,800 units, up 5.00% and 8.42% month-on-month respectively, and up 14.70% and 11.43% year-on-year respectively. The output and sales of 150cc motor-tricycles were 126,200 units and 126,200 units respectively, up 7.40% and 9.46% month-on-month respectively, and up 9.08% and 9.34% year-on-year respectively. The output and sales of 250cc motor-tricycles were 50,600 units and 51,800 units, up 0.76% and 7.22% from a month ago, and up 20.20% and 7.27% from 2011.

Dachangjiang Continues to Take the Lead in the Industry

The top 10 Chinese motorcycle manufacturers in sales in August of 2012 were Dachangjiang, Loncin, Lifan, Luoyang Northern Ek Chor Motorcycle, Guangzhou Dayun, Jialing, Zongshen, Wuyang-Honda, Sundiro-Honda and Jianshe, and their respective sales were 164,900 units, 162,500 units, 130,900 units, 129,300 units, 90,900 units, 88,700 units, 88,500 units, 84,300 units, 82,400 units and 79,700 units. As compared with last month, apart from 2 motorcycle manufacturers which had sales decrease, the rest 8 of them all had various sales growths with Luoyang Northern Ek had the fastest growth. As compared with last year, 3 of them had sales slump, 7 of them had sales increase, and six of them increased by over 13% respectively. The total motorcycle sales of the above 10 motorcycle manufacturers in August were 1.1021 million units, accounting for 55.37% of the total motorcycle sales.

Motorcycle Exports Reduced 900,000 Units in the First 8 Months

Chinese motorcycle exports plunged as compared with last year due to the shrinking overseas demands.

The total motorcycle exports between January and August were 6.0063 million units, down 13.79% or about 900,000 units. The export value was USD 3.797 billion, down 0.55% year-on-year. The exports of motorcycle engine were 1.3124 million units, down 34.35% from 2011, decreasing greatly. Its export value was USD 201 million, down 19.39% year-on-year. The exports of ATV were 54,800 units, up 1.38% from 2011. Its export value was USD 128 million, up 23.96% year-on-year.

Motor-tricycle export has been growing greatly since the beginning of 2012. The total motor-tricycle exports between January and August were 155,100 units, up 32.94% year-on-year. The export value was USD 125 million, up 47.56% year-on-year.

The total motorcycle export value in August was USD 487 million, down 1.95% month-on-month, and down 9.64% from 2011. Motorcycle exports in August were 744,500 units, down 4.21% month-on-month, down 24.36% year-on-year. Export value was USD 409 million, down 3.52% month-on-month, and down 13.71% year-on-year.

The most exported motorcycle models between January and August were the 125 series, the 150 series, the 110 series, and the 50 series, and their respective exports were 2.1204 million units, 1.3782 million units, 825,400 units, and 718,400 units. The total exports of the above four major series of motorcycles between January and August were 5.4402 million units, taking up 90.57% of the total motorcycle exports.

The top 10 Chinese motorcycle manufacturers in export volume between January and August were Loncin, Lifan, Yinxiang, Sundiro-Honda, Guangzhou Dayun, Dachangjiang, Qianjiang, Guangzhou Haojin, Zongshen, and Chongqing Astronautic Bashan Motor. The total export volume of the above 10 Chinese motorcycle producers was 3.1026 million units, taking up 51.65% of the total motorcycle exports.

The top 10 Chinese motorcycle manufacturers in export value between January and August were Sundiro Honda, Loncin, Lifan, Guangzhou Dayun, Dachangjiang, Qianjiang, Zongshen, Yinxiang, Wuyang-Honda and Guangzhou Haojin. The total export value of the above 10 Chinese motorcycle producers was USD 2.031 billion, accounting for 53.49% of the total motorcycle export value.

Motorcycle Profit Down 15.24% Y-o-Y in the First 7 Months

The total profit achieved by the Chinese motorcycle industry between January and July was RMB 1.539 billion, down 15.24% from 2011, decreasing amplitude shrank 0.77 percentage point as compared with the figure between January and June. The operating revenue of the Chinese motorcycle industry was RMB 71.271 billion, down 1.58% year-on-year. The operating costs were RMB 62.674 billion, down 1.79% from 2011. The rate of return on sales was 2.16%, down 13.94% year-on-year. The administrative expenses were RMB 3.427 billion, up 8.49% from 2011. The financial expense was RMB 524 million, up 19.81% from a year ago. Of which the interest expense was RMB 492 million, up 43.79% year-on-year. The total assets value was RMB 95.625 billion, up 2.64% year-on-year. The floating assets were RMB 61.682 billion, up 2.91% year-on-year. The accounts receivable was RMB 14.719 billion, up 6.24% from a year ago.

The value of motorcycle manufacturers' inventory between January and July was RMB 10.036 billion, down 5.85% year-on-year. The value of finished products was RMB 3.909 billion, down 3.17% year-on-year.