[EDITORIAL]
Dear Reader,
it's a pleasure for me to write my first editorial for the ACEM Newsletter. First of all I wish to thank Mr Stefan Pierer, CEO of KTM Sportsmotorcycles and my predecessor as ACEM President, who successfully represented the Motorcycle Industry in Brussels over the last four years.
My office coincides with very difficult times for our business. We have to acknowledge a fully fledged recession of the European Powered Two Wheeler market. Since the beginning of the economic crisis in 2008 sales have gone down by 25%. Market figures show a steady decline in the EU and the last report indicates a -9% for the January - August 2011 period compared to a year before.
The recent State of the European Union speech held by the President of the European Commission sends a clear message in support of businesses, and gives us reasons to be optimistic. The European Motorcycle industry is part of what Mr Barroso calls "the real economy". We provide jobs and contribute to the economic growth of the EU. We fully agree that "significant growth in Europe is not an impossible dream", and we call on the EU to stick to Mr Barroso's words and "create the conditions for growth to resume".
In our case the conditions for growth are represented by the new Type-approval regulation now under discussion which will have a real impact on the future of our industry. While ACEM reiterates its commitment to road safety and the environment, we demand again that the economic dimensions of our industry be duly taken into account by realistically adjusting the regulation to the perspectives of growth. In particular, no unnecessary burden should be put on SMEs, which form the backbone of the Powerd Two Wheeler sector.
Another important piece of EU legislation, which will enter into force in 2013 is the 3rd Driving Licence Directive. It will introduce new and complex access rules to motorcycles. The Spanish Government unilaterally and illegally implemented the directive at the end of 2009 (read article), well in advance of its legal application date and severely impacting a market which had not the time to prepare itself for the new regulatory context. After fruitless calls Anesdor, our Spanish counterpart, was forced to lodge a complaint before the European Commission. Spain's intentions are surely well meant, however we believe that the conditions for growth begin by respecting the rules set in the treaty of the EU, not by acting individually.
ACEM looks forward to working together with policy-makers, towards better regulation for our sector, fostering new growth opportunities in the mobility and leisure sectors.
Enjoy your reading!
Hendrik von Kuenheim
Acem President
[MARKET UPDATE]
The Crisis of the PTW Market in Europe: -9%
Summer looked bleak for the European PTW market. The negative sales performance already indicates that 2011 will likely end with a negative double digit figure
During the summer more motorcycles are sold than during the rest of the year. This was the golden rule for motorcycle salesmen who hoped business would finally start to improve, compared to two consecutive negative years. However, the crisis destroyed this certainty too, along with 25% of the volumes that were achieved until 2008.
[read more]
[NEWS]
IVM Motorcycle Roadshow
IVM organised the biggest motorcycle test drive in the world attracting thousands of soon-to-be riders
Newcomers, born again riders and active users. This is the target group of IVM's Viva La Mopped Roadshow, a public event aiming at encouraging more users to take to Powered Two-Wheelers not only for their mobility needs but also for leisure and tourism.
[read more]
[NEWS]
ETRA focuses on urban mobility at Brussels event
While Smart2Wheels event pushed 2-wheels higher on the European agenda, the European Mobility Week reaches its end amid criticism by riders.
On Thursday 22 September, MEP Brian Simpson, Chairman of the TRAN committee, kicked off "Smart2Wheels" on the esplanade of the European Parliament in Brussels. This event organised by ETRA was aimed at raising awareness in the European institutions of the potential that 2Wheels offer to making transport more sustainable.
[read more]
[NEWS]
Innovation brings new road safety measures to market
A chest protection device that was developed following European research into improving ‘passive’ safety for road users is now available on the market.
The EU-funded project Aprosys aimed at finding different ways to wear the protectors, not only considering it as protective gear, but considering it as a part of a garment and aiming to improve the diffusion of this safety device among motorcyclists.
[read more]
[NEWS]
Peugeot to test electric scooter hire at Paris train station
Peugeot and the French Railways are launching a hiring scheme for train travellers arriving at Paris Montparnasse
Travellers will find e-scooters waiting for them at the Paris station of Montparnasse, allowing them to quickly proceed to their final destination avoiding delays and congestion. Peugeot Scooters partnered up with the French National Railways (SNCF) in order to set up a pilot project combining train travel and two-wheeled urban mobility. The experiment foresees the rent of electric scooters at the Gare Montparnasse in Paris.
[read more]
[NEWS]
Fuel-cell scooter a reality on EU roads
Suzuki’s Burgman Fuel-Cell Scooter becomes world’s first fuel-cell vehicle to earn European Type Approval
The Burgman Fuel-Cell Scooter is based on Suzuki’s city-friendly Burgman. It incorporates a light, compact, air-cooled fuel cell and a hydrogen tank that’s positioned inside the frame. Electricity produced by the fuel cell powers a motor for propulsion; the only emission is water.
[read more]
[NEWS]
IRTAD updates road safety statistics
Road safety: EU road fatalities fall by 11% in 2010
The European Commission has published new statistics showing that EU road fatalities decreased by 11% in 2010. However, country by country statistics, show that the number of deaths still varies greatly across the EU.
[read more] |
