Bangkok--27 Jan--Aziam Burson-Marsteller
The 2008 overall bike market grew 7%, due to several positive factors including the fluctuation in oil prices that led consumers to switch from cars to motorcycles, especially the family bikes, as well as the high popularity of PGM-FI technology. As Honda is the pioneer of PGM-FI and prominent in the family category, it was therefore able to maintain its leadership for 20 consecutive years.
Teerapat Chivapong, Sales Director of A.P. Honda Co., Ltd., said the number of motorcycle registrations in 2008 totaled 1,703,376 units, compared to 1,598,876 units last year, representing a 7% increase, or 104,500 units.
Positive factors, especially during the first 2 quarters, included increased disposable income for farmers due to higher commodity prices and increased access to funds thanks to the government’s grass roots economic stimulus program.
In 2009, the shrinking market will result in a change in consumer behavior with an increased emphasis on value for money and benefits. The PGM-FI family motorcycles are the best answer to consumers’ needs. Honda rapidly responded to this by launching the new Wave 110i model at the beginning of the year to offer a new standard of family motorcycle.
The details of registrations in 2008 were as follows: Family motorcycles had a 51% market share and sales of 874,191 units representing a 9% increase, A.T. motorcycles (Automatic Transmission) recorded a 45% market share and sales of 763,683 units with a growth rate of 5%. Family-sport models faced an 8% decline with sales of 47,149 units and a 3% market share. Sport models grew by 3% with 1% market share and sales of 11,325 units. Other categories recorded sales of 7,028 units.
If categorized by sales volume of each brand, Honda had a market share of 68% with 1,150,568 units, Yamaha had 26% and sales of 439,027 units, Suzuki sold 84,013 units with a 5% market share, Kawasaki sold 10,341 units with a 1% market share, JRD sold 4,278 units, Platinum sold 2,321 units, Tiger sold 1,150 units and others cumulatively sold 11,678 motorcycles.
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