FRIDAY, March 29, 2024
nationthailand

Motorcycle makers stare at hazy road ahead

Motorcycle makers stare at hazy road ahead

Amid slump in demand, auto companies have lowered motorcycle production this year to 1.8 million units although they say it is hard to assess when the market will recover.

Overall, the Thai motorcycle market in the first four months of the year manufactured 509,963 vehicles, down 12.5 per cent compared to the same period of last year when 582,662 motorbikes were sold.
Sales of cars in April was 78,959, less than the 120,457 cars sold in 2019.
In April 2020, Honda registered total sales of 57,959 units, down from 2019 ( 91,641 units), while Yamaha sales were down to 14,164 units, from 19,816 in 2019, and Vespa sold 1,937 units, up from 1,796 in 2019.
Premium Big Bike maker Harley-Davidson had the highest sales with a total of 187 units (191 in 2019), followed by BMW 125 (124), Ducati 87 (48) and Triumph 76 (157).
The Federation of Thai Industries has announced revision of the target of Thai motorcycle production from 2 million units to 1.8 million, divided into domestic use -- 1.5 million units (previously set at 1.7 million units) -- and exports 300,000 units (previously 400,000 units).
The main reason the automotive industry has had to downgrade its target this time is due to the global pandemic. Thailand's trading partners have been heavily affected, impacting orders. Thai buying power is also reduced as many people rely on tourism, agriculture and exports for income.
The Federation of Thai Industries' vice chairman and Automobile Industry Club spokesman, Surapong Paisitpatnapong, said that the group is monitoring the motorcycle market. In the first three months exports achieved 249,525 units, down by 5 per cent, but the value of exports increased by 11.42 per cent, or Bt20.912.70 billion.
"April production should be lower because many factories have stopped production. The export market is still growing because we export premium Big Bikes. Therefore, the revenue grows, However, it is difficult to assess whether the said value will continue to grow or not," said Surapong.
Thailand is considered one of the top five motorcycle production hubs in the world, after China, India, Indonesia, and Vietnam. There are 14 OEM production factories including Honda, Yamaha, Suzuki, Kawasaki, SYM, Ryukka, GPX, Benelli, Keyway, Triumph, BMW, Ducati, Harley-Davidson and most recently Royal Enfield.

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