In a global comparison, the European motorcycle market is losing importance both as a sales and production location. New registrations in Europe fell by 51 percent between 2007 and 2013. In the same period, European vehicle production shrank from around 1.6 million to only around 600,000 units. The number of vehicle manufacturers and dealers, turnover and employment figures fell dramatically. The focus of the global motorcycle business has shifted towards Asia and South America in particular.



The traditional motorcycle manufacturers of the old continent (including Triumph, Ducati, KTM and BMW Motorrad) are setting off for new shores of growth and settling where the demand for two-wheelers is booming. In Asia in particular, but also in South America, growing prosperity and the increasing need for mobility are prompting more and more people to switch from bicycles to motorcycles. As a result, the proportion of total mobility in society is now reaching enormously high levels: In Vietnam, for example, 95 percent of all vehicles are motorized two-wheelers.



You can order a free press copy of the current issue of "bike und business" with the full article on the changes in the motorcycle market ("Continent with torque") from: heidelinde.gutowski@vogel.de.



"bike und business" is a monthly trade magazine for the motorized two-wheeler industry in Germany, Austria and Switzerland. The business magazine with a training section provides information for the motorcycle trade and service, manufacturers/importers, the accessories industry and associations. "bike und business" is the official organ of the Bundes-innungsverbandes Deutsches Zweiradmechaniker-Handwerk (BIV) and publishes the technical bulletins that companies need for the statutory motorcycle emissions test (AUK). Daily news from the entire motorcycle industry is available at www.bikeundbusiness.de and in the weekly newsletter. The parent company Vogel Business Media is Germany's largest trade media company with 100+ trade journals, 100+ web portals, 100+ business events as well as numerous mobile offerings and international activities. Its headquarters are in Würzburg. The company celebrates its 125th anniversary in 2016.