São Paulo – Brazilian motorcycle exports were down 2.5% in February this year from the same month of last year, according to information from the Brazilian Association of Motorcycle, Autocycle, Scooter and Bicycle Manufacturers (Abraciclo). A total of 8,521 motorcycles were shipped abroad. Combined January and February exports declined even further, by 8.3%¨, to 14,208 units shipped.
The industry posted negative results in several areas in February. Motorcycle output was down 19.4% from February 2012, to 123,300 units. In February 2012, the industry produced 153,100 motorcycles. February-on-January, the decline was smaller, 3%, at 127,200 motorcycles made. In January and February 2013 combined, output stood at 250,500 motorcycles, down 24% from the same period in 2012.
There was, however, an 8% increase in wholesale sales in February from January, from 112,000 units to 121,200 units. February-on-February, wholesale sales were down 18.6%. According to Abraciclo, the slowdown in output and sales reflect the pace of the market. New motorcycle sales were down in February. A total of 101,800 new motorcycles were licensed, as against 134,600 in February 2012.
In the first fifteen days of March, though, the market started to rebound and, according to Abraciclo figures, 71,213 new motorcycles were licensed, up 40% from the first fifteen days of February. Compared with the same period in March 2012, it was a 5% increase. "We cannot forget that we had Carnival in the first fifteen days of February, as well as the typical holiday season. Thus, the behaviour must be reviewed carefully, although it hints at cheerful results for the month-end closing,” says Abraciclo executive director José Eduardo Gonçalves.
*Translated by Gabriel Pomerancblum
