Bangkok--21 Aug--Aziam Burson-Marsteller The hike in oil prices has been a tailwind for the motorcycle market during the first month of Q3. High petrol prices have inspired users to switch from cars to bikes which has caused the market to grow by 16%, which is the highest growth rate in 32-months. Further, the accumulated motorcycle registrations for the last 7 months have already surpassed 1 million units. Family motorcycles are the most popular model among consumers and the only category receiving more market share due to its fuel efficiency. Considering the government’s 6 economic stimulus measures and Honda’s recent actions, it is clear that Honda as the market leader that has turned crisis into opportunity by launching PGM-FI technology to meet the needs of today’s consumers. Teerapat Chivapong, Sales Director of A.P. Honda Co., Ltd., said the number of motorcycle registrations during July totaled 160,357 units, compared to 137,972 units last year, representing a 16% increase, or 22,385 units. This is the highest growth rate in the last 32 months, starting from October 2005, the year that motorcycle registrations took the highest record of 2.1 million units. This growth was driven by the fluctuation in oil prices that encouraged car users to consider the fuel efficiency of motorcycles as a viable alternative. Family motorcycles became very popular due to their economy and increased their market share to 53% from 50% last year. In July, family motorcycle registrations were 84,570 units, an increase of 19% from the same period of last year. For other categories, A.T. motorcycles (Automatic Transmission) had a 43% market share and sales of 69,741 units, up 13% from last year. Family-sport models earned a 3% market share and sales of 4,304 units, with a growth rate of 2%. Sport models had a 1% market share, with a growth rate of 16% and sales of 1,008 units, while other categories recorded sales of 734 units. Although the rainy season is starting and this is traditionally a slow period for motorcycle sales, the market is expected to be relatively active thanks to the government’s 6 economic stimulus measures that will serve to reduce concerns about the cost of living. Moreover, Honda has launched 2 new motorcycle models; CZ-i 110 and Click-i that are equipped with its latest “PGM-FI” (Programmed Fuel Injection) technology, offering increased fuel saving capability as its key benefit that perfectly meets the needs of today’s consumers. The accumulated registrations during these 7 months, from January to July, totaled 1,033,001 units or a 5% increase compared to the same period last year. For further information please contact: Sales Promotion Division A.P. Honda Co., Ltd. Jutamart Inpringkanant Tel. 0 2757-6111 ext 2502 or 0 1920 6830 Thanyalak Chaiyapa Tel. 0 2757-6111 ext 2508 or 0 9810 7713 Aziam Burson-Marsteller Satida Sritunyatorn or Wittawat Eakusdron Tel. 0 2252 9871