ACEM, the Association of European motorcycle and moped manufacturers, has announced the first quarterly figures for 2023. The figures show a trend in sales of motorized two-wheelers with the level returning from before the corona era. The statistical sales data for the motorcycle segment are based on the five largest European markets; Italy, France, Germany, Spain and the UK, which together account for 80% of registrations in the EU and UK. For the moped segment, sales data from France, the Netherlands, Germany, Italy, Belgium and Spain have been leading, these countries together account for about 80% of moped registrations.
Engines

In the five largest European markets, 253,859 new motors were registered in the first quarter of 2023. That is an increase of about 15.5% compared to the same period in 2022 when 219,826 new engines were registered.

Motorcycle registration volumes have increased the most in Italy (78,997 units, +31.1%), followed by Spain (44,127 units, +13.4%) and Germany (54,964 units, +13.2%). There was a slight increase in France (48,945 units, +7.21%), while the UK remained stable with 26,826 units sold (1.7%).

The mopeds showed an opposite trend. Of these, a total of 43,610 units were registered in the countries; Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands and Spain. This number represents a reduction of 24.5% compared to last year (57,737 units). The decline has been observed everywhere in these countries, except in Belgium where volumes continued to rise.

According to the ACEM, the results of the first quarter of the year should be interpreted cautiously given the important influence of spring and summer for the European motorized two-wheeler market. Despite the fact that there were significant fluctuations in sales compared to the same period of 2022, the first quarter data confirm a growing trend in interest in motorcycles and from scooters to mopeds. This shift can be seen in both urban and short-distance mobility, but also in the continuing interest in recreational driving. So far, the numbers seem to align with long-term pre-COVID trends. Whether this trend will continue throughout 2023 will have to be seen from the upcoming quarterly figures, but for now the figures for the whole of 2023 are therefore hopeful.