In common with the new model registration statistics for early 2017 from other European markets, the latest date released by the MCIA, the motorcycle trade association in the UK, show the same Euro 3 pre-registration impact as elsewhere, with sales for January and February put at 7,867 units, down by -18.48 percent!
However, as with elsewhere, by the time the pre-registered bikes are taken into account, in all probability the UK market was at worst level with early 2016, and in all likelihood could have been at least marginally up, given the heavy discounts and incentives now being offered by dealers to clear those Euro 3 bikes as zero mileage “pre-owned” models.
In the UK, for the full year 2016, new motorcycle registrations grew by + 13.52 percent at 118,990 units – a fifth straight year of growth for the UK market and the best annual market performance since before 2008; though some of the bikes registered in November and December are those now “not showing” as sales from January and February.
In total PTW terms the UK market was +11.86 percent for 2016 at 127,702 units – a third straight year of growth and also the highest annual market performance since before 2008.
For the record, the MCIA reports new Moped registrations for the first two months of the year in the UK at -18.79 percent (834 units only), and total PTW sales at -18.51 percent (8,701 units).
