Well aware of a number of customers and fellow scooter enthusiasts that they have in Ukraine, some of them from Vespa Club Ukraine, Ralf Jodl and the team at SIP Scootershop in Germany have donated € 3,000 to "Médecins sans Frontières". Many Vespa scooter riders in Ukraine are joining in the relief effort with food and medicine deliveries; www.sip-scootershop.com
Ever since the gravity of the Russian invasion of Ukraine became apparent, and the west started to apply meaningful sanctions, most major western brands and corporations have reconsidered their position with regard to business in and with Russia. Polaris Industries/Indian Motorcycles and Harley-Davidson have suspended their operations there. In the past, Russia's President Vladimir Putin has used Harleys to virtue signal righteous machismo, having been photographed riding Harley-Davidson bikes; he has also been known to join a gathering of bikers - including in Ukraine (in 2010).
Ducati has reported 59,447 motorcycles sold worldwide in 2021 - its best ever year and +24% over 2020 and +12% over 2019. It reports double-digit growth in all major countries including the United States, which regains the place of top market (9,007 units sold, +32% on 2020), with Australia +50% compared to 2020. They were +23% in Italy (8,707 sales), German sales were 6,107 units (+11% on 2020) and 4,901 units in China (+23%). The Multistrada V4 is its best-seller in 2021 (9,957 units sold), followed by the Ducati Scrambler 800 family (9,059 units) and the Monster with 8,734 motorcycles sold.
The MIC reports that new motorcycle and scooter sales among the leading brands included in its data capture were up for the full year 2021, with sales of all on-road motorcycles (including scooters, on-highway and dual) up by +14.2%. This is a second consecutive of growth, with sales now +21.8% across all categories (scooters, on-highway, dual and off-highway) since 2019. Scooter sales are up 19.6% over 2020 and 31.4% over 2019. On-highway motorcycle sales are up 12.9% over 2020. Dual sport models were up 18.6% over what was considered a monster year of sales in 2020, which saw a 46.2% increase in sales over 2019. Interest in off-highway motorcycles continues to be strong with a two-year increase of 42.9%.
According to UK motorcycle industry association MCIA, November 2021 saw Super Soco become the first ever 100% electric brand to feature in the UK's top ten best-selling PTWs - outselling far more established manufacturers such as Suzuki, Ducati, Aprilia and H-D. Super Soco also remained the UK's best-selling electric powered two-wheeler (e-PTW) brand YTD, with its market share rising to 29.57%. Its CPx maxi-scooter was holding steady as the top-selling electric model, accounting for 20% of e-PTW sales for the YTD and 33% of e-PTW sales for November.
Provisional figures from Piaggio for its 2021 financial year to 31st December put consolidated net sales at approx. € 1.668m (+27% from € 1.313.7m in 2020) with a net financial position of approx. € 380m (+€ 43m from € 423.6m in 2020). Capital expenditure is said to have been +10% at € 154m in 2021. CEO Roberto Colaninno: "The preliminary figures show that we are gradually moving out of the deterioration that developed during the pandemic. A healthy upsurge in sales can be seen on all markets and this suggests a positive trend in turnover." A number of problems with material supplies and inflation rates continue, but we are ready to meet this situation."
Citing a January 2022 Interbrand report, Piaggio Group ("Europe's largest scooter and motorcycle manufacturer") says that in 2021, the Vespa brand value totalled € 906m. "Vespa is much more than a mobility brand, it symbolises art, design, technology and fun," said Michele Colaninno, Director for Strategy, Products & Innovation. "Vespa is an icon of style: its uniqueness makes it one of the most admired and desired brands, belonging to the premium space as well as fashion and lifestyle brands."
Sources: AMD, IDN, FT, Reuters, PSB, MPN, BDN, MCN, AP, Bloomberg, MSNW, Electrek, electricmotorcycles.news, RideApart.com, Motor1.com, Cycle World, motorbikewriter.com
