After a strong start to the year followed by a small decrease in registrations in April, German motorcycle registrations were up slightly in May. There were 11,900 units registered, up 2.6 percent over May 2013 (with 11,601 registered).
For the year to date, German motorcycle registrations are running at 10.7 percent up, on volume of 55,929 units (compared to 50,541 units for the first five months of 2013).
However, there was a decline in overall PTW registrations in May - down -2.5 percent with 16,610 units registered, compared to 17,029 in May 2013. For the year to date 76,160 units have been registered, up 9.4 percent from 69,626 units for the equivalent period in 2013.
The growth in motorcycle sales in Germany continues a recovery trend first seen in 2012, and which accelerated from late 2013. Although sales of new small cc models in Germany continue to be sluggish, the turnover value of the growth being seen will come as a welcome trend for German dealers and is already being reflected in increased optimism among Germany's aftermarket parts and accessory manufacturing and distribution community.
If this trend continues, then expect to see a level of optimism among exhibitors at this year's INTERMOT expo in Germany of a kind not seen since 2006.
