Lucky they brought out the Ninja 250.

[MadKaw]

Or Kawasaki sales would have been crap.!!

12 January 2009

MOTORCYCLE SALES SOAR TO RECORD LEVELS

Motorcycle sales set a new record in 2008 with increasing numbers of Australians turning to two-wheeled transport.

Official figures released by the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries (FCAI) show that 134,112 motorcycles, scooters and all-terrain vehicles were sold last year - an increase of 3.2 per cent (4,146 units) over the previous record set in 2007.

"This is an outstanding result and the highest sales figure on record," FCAI Chief Executive Andrew McKellar said.

"Sales of motorcycles remained strong throughout 2008 despite the challenges and uncertainty caused by the global financial crisis," he said.

"While the economic fundamentals will remain challenging in 2009 there are many good reasons why people will continue to turn to motorcycles and scooters for their transport requirements," Mr McKellar said.

Road bikes were the key driver of growth in the marketplace during 2008 with 49,347 sales - an 8.5 per cent increase over the previous year.

"The increasing array of motorcycles on the market means that there are models on offer to suit the varying tastes and needs of riders, whether it is for daily commuting or recreation," Mr McKellar said.

Scooters remained extremely popular, with 15,364 units sold during 2008 - a 7.6 per cent increase compared to 2007.

"Many people, particularly those who live and work in busy cities, are being drawn to scooters in record numbers because of their obvious convenience and practicality," Mr McKellar said.

Sales of ATVs increased by 1.2 per cent during the year to 19,990 units, while sales of off-road motorcycles fell two per cent to 49,411 units.

Honda maintained its market leadership in 2008 with 32,651 sales, followed by Yamaha with 28,004 and Suzuki with 18,314 sales.

Cruisers retained leadership of the road-bike sub-segments with 13,156 sales ahead of 250cc (11,053 sales) and super sports (8,630).

The off-road market was very competitive in 2008. Moto Cross was the most popular segment (14,410 sales), ahead of Mini bikes (14,129) and Enduro (14,124).

The agricultural segment had the biggest involvement in ATV sales, accounting for 73 per cent of the ATV market (14,587 sales).
...ends / 55984-1

http://pressroom.com.au/newpressroom/FC ... Report.xls

http://pressroom.com.au/newpressroom/FC ... Report.xls

[Disco]

Where's Kawasaki???? Don't even get a mention

[MadKaw]

Check the links.....!!!

[mfzx6r]

maybe they should enter the 250 in motogp

[MickLC]

FMD take out the posties and the 250 pisses it in

[Six Addict]

TOP 10 by Category - Super Sport Jan - December, 2008 compared with Jan - December, 2007
Manufacturer Model Totoal YTD 2008 YTD 2007 % Chg
Honda CBR1000RR 1345 1054 27.6%
Yamaha YZF-R1 908 988 -8.1%
Suzuki GSX-R1000 750 833 -10.0%
Honda CBR600RR 712 986 -27.8%
Ducati 1098 634 560 13.2%
Suzuki GSX-R600 598 523 14.3%
Yamaha YZF-R6 587 649 -9.6%
Suzuki GSX-R750 564 573 -1.6%
Hyosung GT650R 519 321 61.7%
Kawasaki ZX1000 402 346 16.2%


look at that difference... for bikes that are fairly well matched, it easy to see the image problem kawasaki has...

that and the 14 wasn't on the top 10 sports tourers when the hyabusa was first...

no presence in the cruisers

the KLR won the adventure touring market (maybe the fact that its the best bang for your buck proves something)

Z750 comes 9th in naked, poor for the company that gave birth to the big bruty naked bike

no player in the motard market where as the other manufacturers (all the top sellers) have at least one in that segment

and the telling fact that in the mini-bikes, kawasaki had no presence in the top 10... u gotta get em young and all other jap brands are doing that...

[Saki]

My uncle might possibly be opening up a motorcycle shop within the coming year, in which case i will try get special KSRC membership too!!!!

but that aside he is contacting as many makers as possible to sell for and the only reason Honda have such a large slice is because Australia Post buys all the CT's for posties.

Honda still sells alot, but i think my uncle was saying Yamaha have quite a good slice with there actually proper road bikes. i did remember hearing some figures like
30% for honda
18% for yamaha
13% for Suzuki
8% for Kawasaki!

the last 31% is for everything else IE: ducati, Aprillia, MV, all the scooter brands etc etc

[Six Addict]

honda = 32600 (24%) - postie (biggest selling bike) = 2450
yamaha = 28000 (21%) - WR450F (biggest selling bike) = 1850
suzuki = 18300 (14%) - DRZ400E (biggest selling bike) = 1500
kawasaki = 12000 (9%) - ninja 250 (biggest selling bike) = 2350

of course this takes into account dirt bikes... and u actually find that yamaha has a strong dirt bike range (7 units behind honda)and ATV (300 more units than honda) because their biggest selling roadbike (R1) only sells 900 units...