[REPORT]
PTWs sales finally on the upswing in Italy
March brought a major reversal in trend for sales with 49.682 units (+7,8%) over the same month in 2008.
Sales of PTWs in Italy are starting to take off again after the adoption of a scrapping scheme supporting the sector. Thanks to the plan adopted by the Italian Government consumers are starting to regain confidence. A 500€ incentive was made available for replacing any Euro 0 or Euro 1 PTW with a new Euro 3 vehicle. While at first only vehicles under 400cc were entitled to the discount starting from April 12, the scrapping scheme was extended to all PTWs up to 60 kW, covering therefore a large part of intermediate motorcycles and the whole scooter market. Therefore, a positive result can be expected also for this part of the market, even though the incidence of the discount is lower, due to the higher price list of these vehicles.
Incentives also apply to new vehicles purchased through bank loans.
The rationale behind this policy is to replace the old fleet with new ecologically friendlier vehicles.
According to the scheme, manufacturers and dealers can apply the 500€ discount immediately and get it back from the government with a tax credit.
In particular, registrations totalled 42.725 units, corresponding to an improvement of 14.6%. From a detailed analysis of the various segments, however, we find that while scooters grew significantly, with 29.542 units (+35,5%), motorcycles continued to decline, albeit to a lesser extent compared to the first two months of the year, with 13.183 vehicles (-14,8%). Mopeds continued to suffer, in the absence of an incentive program, with 6.957 units (-21,1%). In the first quarter of 2009, we are still ca. 14.000 registrations (-15,5%) and 8.000 mopeds (-34%) short.
“The incentive program dedicated to vehicles up to 400cc prompted a substantial upswing in scooter registrations, involving primarily the models with engine size from 125cc to 400cc.– points out Guidalberto Guidi, Chairman of Confindustria ANCMA – Besides, precisely 51cc to 400cc vehicles showed an improvement of 45%, to be attributed entirely to the incentives".
Looking at the figures recorded during the first three months, we find that small engined (125cc) scooters profited the most, with 16.296 units, +11,9%, also thanks to the fact that the incidence of the discounts made available by the incentive scheme is highest on vehicles with an affordable price list. Vehicles with a displacement of between 150cc and 200cc also did fine, with 11.844 units (+2,9%), while 250cc vehicles lost ground (7.621 units, -29,3%), and the same applies to models up to 500cc (14.742 units, down by 15,1%). Sales of hyperscooters over 500cc are freefalling, with but 519 units and a drop of 57,6%.
As for motorcycles, 600cc models were badly hit (-40,1%), while the other segments were better in keeping with the overall market situation, with downswings of around 25%. Among the different segments, custom/cruiser models weathered the storm, with 2.376 units (-16,7%), and so did naked motorcycles 9.736 (-18,7%); above-average losses were recorded by enduro models (6.270; -34,3%), sports bikes (4.838; -30%) and supermotards (1.710; -28,6%).
The first quarter of 2009 ended with an overall figure for PTWs of 93.883 units and a decline of 19,3% over 2008.
Today (24.4.2009) the Italian Ministry for the Environment announced the inclusion of mopeds in the scrapping scheme.
Mr Guidi commented further: “The positive effect of the incentives on PTWs above 50cc, leads us to believe that the extension to mopeds of this campaign dedicated to low environmental impact vehicles will be successful. As a consequence of not being included in the previous scheme the mopeds' segment was suffering. With this agreement with the Government we will be able to balance the offer on the market and accelerate the renewal of an obsolete circulating park, to the benefit of reduced emissions levels and improved safety".
[INDEX]
BRITISH INDUSTRY CALLS ON GOVERNMENT TO BOOST MARKET CONFIDENCE IN PTWS
MAIDS 2.0: REGISTER AND DOWNLOAD THE UPDATED STUDY
STAKEHOLDERS' CONFERENCE ON THE FUTURE OF TRANSPORT
Mopeds scrapping scheme in Italy:
The incentives apply to the purchase new mopeds and electric vehicles, coinciding with the scrapping of a EURO zero o EURO 1 moped.
More specifically the following applies:
- for the purchase of Euro 2 four-stroke moped or a Euro 2 low consumption moped, 20% of the vehicle cost up to a maximum of 350 Euro;
- for the purchase of Euro 2 two-stroke moped, 8% of the vehicle cost up to a maximum of 180 Euro;
- for the purchase of an electric motorcycle or an electric quadricycle, 30% of the vehicle cost up to a maximum of 1.300 Euro;
- for the purchase of a Euro 3 hybrid vehicle, 30% of the vehicle cost up to a maximum of 950 Euro;
- for the purchase of an electric moped, 30% of the vehicle cost up to a maximum of 850 Euro;
- for the purchase of a hybrid moped, 30% of the vehicle cost up to a maximum of 600 Euro.