More quads than bikes sold in August

I found this interesting article on motoring.co.za.

I wonder wat this years figures would look like.

Quads sales made up 55.4 percent of the South African motorcycle market during August 2004, according to the latest figures released by Association of Motorcycle Importers and Distributors (Amid) director Arnold Olivier.

It would appear that the weekend warriors are gearing up for the summer ahead, with total retail sales for the month of 2382 units, 56 percent better than August 2003's 1526.

The overall market for the year to date now stands at 17 815, up 60 percent on the first eight months of last year (11 134 units).

This growth, given the continued stability of economic indicators like inflation, interest rates and exchange rates, put the industry on track for the best sales year since 1985 - when a record total of 24 509 bikes were sold in South Africa.

Yamaha's 200cc Blaster has finally been dethroned from the top of the sales charts, with the Suzuki LTZ250 having sold 653 units in the year to date compared to the Blaster's 649. The venerable Honda CGL125 is once again the only two-wheeler in the top ten, with 349 sales so far this year.

Top 10 sales – all classes:

1. Suzuki LTZ250 (653)
2. Yamaha Blaster 200 (649)
3. Yamaha YZF450 (437)
4. Suzuki LTZ400 (428)
5. Dinli DL603 – 100 (425)
6. Suzuki LTF160K (390)
7. Honda TRX300EX (369)
8. Honda CGL125 (349)
9. Suzuki LTF250K (315)
10. Linhai Rustler XL260 (313)

Motorcycles

The two-wheeled segment of the market is up 33 percent on 2003, with total sales since January of 8942 units, compared to 6 698 in 2003

Off-road bikes (motocross and enduro machines) lead the way with a retail growth of 90.7 percent.

superbike sales have improved 43.4 percent,
cruisers 38.5 percent and
dual-purpose bikes 25.5 percent

which illustrates the perception that most motorcycles are bought as leisure toys.

Top 10 sales – motorcycles above 500cc:

1. BMW F650 GS (2004-spec) (302)
2. Honda CBR1000RR Fireblade (253)
3. Yamaha YZF-R1 (218)
4. Kawasaki ZX-10R (135)
5. Suzuki GSX-R1000 (127)
6. Kawasaki KLR650 (137)
7. Honda CBR600RR (126)
8. BMW R1200 GS (150)
9. Honda XL650V Transalp (102)
10. BMW R1150 GS (102)
11. BMW K1200 GT (86)

Although 125cc, scooter, commercial and agribike sales have grown by only 12.5 percent, small bikes are making a comeback in the second half of the year, especially entry-level scooter and traditional 125cc schoolboy models.

This seems to be due to competitive pricing, and continued high fuel prices.

Top 10 sales – motorcycles below 500cc:

1. Honda CGL125 (349)
2. Honda NXR125 (255)
3. Yamaha TW200 (228)
4. Honda CRF230 (175)
5. Yamaha XTZ125 (168)
6. SYM Jet 100 (154)
7. Yamaha BW100 (146)
8. Suzuki GN250 (140)
9. Kawasaki KDX 200 (106)
10. Honda XLR125 (113)
11. Honda SCV100 (113)

Quads:

Quad sales for January to August are double what they were in the same period last year – 8873 units compared to 4436 in 2003.

However the growth curve is finally beginning to flatten out as the sales for this year begin to compete against the strong figures recorded in the second half of last year.

Olivier predicts that the final figures for 2004 will reflect a growth of about 58 percent over sales during 2003.

Top five quads - recreational:

1. Suzuki LTZ250 (653)
2. Yamaha Blaster 200 (649)
3. Yamaha YZF450 (437)
4. Suzuki LTZ400 (428)
5. Honda TRX300EX (369)

Top five quads - utility:

1. Suzuki LTF160K (390)
2. Suzuki LTF250K (315)
3. Linhai Rustler XL260 (313)
4. Cobra Overland 180 (178)
5. Yamaha Grizzly 660 (114)

Top five quads - speciality:

1. Dinli DL603 – 100 (425)
2. Dinli 100 (299)
3. Dinli DL501 – 50 (260)
4. Cobra Revo 100 (220)
5. Cobra Mini-Kolt 50 (218)