Bangkok--3 Aug--A.P.Honda
Motorcycle Market Broke the Expected Million-Unit RecordAT Segment Swept 50% Market ShareNew Model Paving Way to the Top for Honda
More than one million of motorcycles were sold in the first half of the year. Honda topped the sales chart. However, the market in June wasn’t vibrant as expected.
Thailand’s motorcycle industry closed its sales in the first half with a record of 1,096,176 units, a 1% rise from the same period of last year. Honda topped the chart, with a record of 756,562 units sold, equivalent to 69% market share. The market in June wasn’t vigorous as expected. A total of 204,258 units were sold in the month, decreased by 8%, compared to the same period of last year. However, AT model has maintained its market leadership, with a 50% market share, among the younger customers with a much higher purchasing power.
Three major models from Honda still topped the market for two consecutive months. Honda Wave accounted for 64,784 units; Honda Scoopy i 33,876 units; Honda Click 125i 23,048 units. This implies trust among Thai customers towards the brand, making Honda the leader in the family and AT segments. Of the total sales in June, Honda achieved 70% market share, or a total of 142,317 units of new registration. The market forecast by Honda management for 2012 expects to reach 2.15 million units. Honda expects to break a record of 1.5 million units.
“The market in the first half of the year continued to grow as expected. The market closed with 1,096,176 units, rose by 1% from the same period of last year. Honda maintained its leadership, with a total of 756,562 units of new registration, or 69% market share,” said Suchart Arunsaengroj, Director of AP Honda Co Ltd.
“The over sales in June this year slowed down, with a total of 204,258 units of new registration, an 8% decrease from the same period of last year. However, the top three best-selling models are all from Honda. Honda Wave accounted for 64,784 units; Honda Scoopy i 33,876 units; Honda Click 125i 23,048 units. The three models not only maintained its top three ranks for two consecutive months, but also maintained the market leadership for the brand. Honda posted the largest sales in June at 142,317 units, or 70% market share.
“Apart from the major models, new models regularly introduced by Honda targeting new customer groups have also received a positive response. For example, Honda PCX150 and Honda Spacy i are fulfilling the AT segment; Honda CBR150R and Honda CBR250R remain the most favourites in the sport segment. Consequently, Honda has maintained our market leadership in all segments and rocked the industry with new products for customers all these years.
“The rising purchasing power among the younger customers is an interesting factor. The customers have become more confident in spending as the country’s economy has become more stable. The AT motorcycle targeting on the younger customers achieved half of Honda’s new registration in June. Honda reached 102,147 units, of which 60,340 or 59% were AT motorcycles. Family motorcycles achieved sales of 94,372 units, accounting for 46 per cent of total of sales in the month. Honda posted the largest sales in family category of 80,098 units, or 85%. That definitely implies trust among the customers towards our brand. And that makes us the leader in every market segment.”
The market in the second half tends to grow, despite a less expectation, thanks to the growing economy. Prices of agricultural products have become more stable and the unemployment rate has remained low. Consequently, customers have more confident in spending.
“In the second half of the year, the market expects to grow if without a major economic effect in the country. The over all new registration of 2012 expects to reach 2.15 million units. Honda also expects to achieve 1.5 million units,” added Suchart.
Total motorcycles sales reached 204,258 units in June 2012, of which 102,147 or 50% were AT motorcycles. Family motorcycles achieved sales of 94,372 units, accounting for 46 per cent of total of sales in the month; followed by 2,991 units for On-Off and 2,738 units for sport motorcycles, accounting for 1% each; and another 2,010 units of other types of motorcycles, also accounting for 1%.
Categorised by the manufacturers, Honda posted the largest sales of 142,317 units in June, with 70% of market share; followed by Yamaha with sales of 48,490 units or 24%. Suzuki posted sales of 6,576 units, or 3%; followed by 3,142 units from Kawasaki, or 2%; 1,577 units from Ryuka, or 1%; and 2,156 units from other brands, or 1%.