The latest data released by JAMA (the automotive trade association in Japan, which includes representation of motorcycle manufacturers among its membership) shows exports of 250cc+ Japanese made motorcycles to Europe up by +7.76 percent in January 2017, despite the hangover from Euro 3 pre-registrations (19,689 units) – the strongest January export figure since 2009.
For the full year 2016 exports to Europe were +18.83 percent at 180,290 units – the best full year performance experienced by the Japanese factories in terms of exports to Europe since the 201,000 exported in 2010, but still a long way south of the 420,000 exported in 2007 and 461,000 in 2000.
Exports to U.S.A. were -12.22 percent in January at 5,008 units, the lowest January number since compatible records are available. Global Japanese made motorcycle exports were essentially flat overall for January at +0.6 percent (30,473 units).
Japanese manufactured total PTW exports to Europe were also up in January at +9.23 percent (20,586 units) – also the best January performance since 2009. To the U.S.A total PTW exports were -23.43 percent at 8,138 units and -4.37 percent globally at 38,002 units.
Total worldwide Japanese manufactured PTW exports were +2.61 percent for the full year 2016 at 428,619 units – their second lowest in the 21st century, having appeared to have bottomed out at 417,000 in 2015; they peaked at 1.641m units in 2000.
The increasing number of units being made by the Japanese manufacturers elsewhere in Asia, the US and South/Central America goes some way to explaining the data, though the majority of higher value larger displacement Japanese brand machines, especially those being sold in Europe, are still made in Japan.
Their overseas factories are primarily engaged in making and selling scooters and smaller capacity units in 'emerging' markets (where import tariffs are high) and in making ATV/UTV units - especially in the United States, where demand for such machines is strongest.
