The BMW Group has set its motorcycle segment new targets for the coming years. By introducing additional models and entering new market segments, the company aims to win new customers worldwide, increasing deliveries of motorised two-wheel vehicles to 200,000 units by 2020.
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| The new BMW G 310 R |
"We want to sustain our profitable growth in the motorcycles segment over the coming years and make a lasting contribution to the success of the BMW Group," commented Peter Schwarzenbauer, member of the Board of Management of BMW AG, responsible for MINI, BMW Motorrad, Rolls-Royce and Aftersales. "To achieve this, BMW Motorrad will develop its business with new products and expansion in growth markets".
Entry into the segment below 500 cc will "lay the foundation for growth", according to the company, starting with the world premiere of the new BMW G 310 R - a "compact, agile single-cylinder motorcycle that has been specially designed for the growing Asian and South American markets, as well as Europe".
"With the BMW G 310 R, BMW Motorrad is bringing a genuine premium offering to the segment below 500 cc", said Stephan Schaller, Head of BMW Motorrad. "We will also be expanding our urban mobility offering in this class – including bikes with electric drivetrains".
Notwithstanding this new development, BMW say their core business will "remain the exclusive premium segment" above 500 cc. The company says it is market leader in 26 countries and sold more than 121,622 (+11.5% year-on-year) vehicles worldwide in the year to the end of October - almost reaching last year’s record level of 123,495 units after just ten months in 2015.
BMW says the R nineT (launched in 2013) is an important growth driver, with more than 8,600 units already delivered in 2015. They say that they intend to "build on the success of our classic models with the BMW R nineT Scrambler derivative, which will celebrate its world premiere at the EICMA motorcycle show on 17 November.
"With the countless possibilities for individualisation offered by the BMW R nineT and the BMW R nineT Scrambler, we see tremendous potential in the US market, in particular", said Schaller.
BMW Motorrad will continue to extend its retail network to keep pace with the planned global expansion. By 2020, the number of dealerships will increase to 1,500 from over 1,100 today.
