News

The COVID-19 pandemic is an unprecedented crisis that is inflicting considerable damage to the health of citizens across the world and threatening global economic stability. Policy makers at the European level and national authorities are working together to address these two major challenges. Industrial and retail sectors are already severely impacted, including those within the motorcycle industry.

Every effort is being taken by the motorcycle industry to protect our employees and customers. Public health and safety is the number one priority of us all; notwithstanding this need, preservation of the European economy and the protection of jobs are also paramount.

The current situation is particularly challenging for motorcycle dealers and manufacturers. The ongoing pandemic has severely disrupted supply chains, manufacturing operations and the development of new Euro 5 models. This disruption, in addition to virus containment measures taken in factories, has led to a near complete standstill of the industry in many countries.

The recent lock-down and stringent measures to contain the pandemic have also paralyzed motorcycle retail business activity. This is progressively affecting all European markets, creating unsettling uncertainties for the motorcycle sector. The COVID-19 crisis is placing dealerships, most of which are small family-run operations, under extreme financial hardship. Immediate cashflow concerns will need to be addressed through support measures in every impacted country.

Against this background, the motorcycle industry urgently calls on the European Commission and national administrations to swiftly adopt all necessary measures to help the sector come through this unprecedented crisis. The motorcycle sector is ready to work with all policy makers to achieve this aim, protecting the 300,000 jobs linked to this industry.

Quote

Stefan Pierer, ACEM President and CEO of KTM AG, said:

“The COVID-19 crisis will test our ability to cope simultaneously with a major health and economic crisis. ACEM members are fully cooperating with authorities to slow the spread of COVID-19. We take care that our employees and partners are safe, and count on policy-makers to find solutions in the challenging weeks and months that are ahead of us in order to break the wave that may otherwise hit the sector”.

Antonio Perlot, ACEM Secretary General, said:

“ACEM is engaging with our partners in the EU and national administrations to find solutions to this unprecedented challenge. Things are evolving rapidly and ACEM is closely monitoring the situation, in tight cooperation with industry associations across Europe and vehicle manufacturers. We call on policy-makers to work together and adopt the necessary measures to protect our citizens and economies in the short and longer term”.

Documents available to download

ACEM press statement - COVID-19 impacts on the motorcycle sector [PDF]

Press contact

Manuel Ordonez de Barraicua
ACEM communications manager
  
+32 496 52 65 17

As of 1 January 2020, all new type-approved motorcycles and mopeds sold in the European Union (EU) and the European Free Trade Area (EFTA) will have to meet the new Euro 5 environmental standard that will replace the current Euro 4 specification.

For existing moped and motorcycle models type-approved before the 1 January 2020, Euro 5 will become mandatory as of the first day of 2021. This brings the pollutant emissions of L-category vehicles (i.e. mopeds, motorcycles, tricycles and quadricycles) to the same level as Euro 6 cars.

Improving environmental performance through vehicle technology

Technical innovation in the motorcycle industry has played a key role in progressively lowering vehicle emissions. Since the introduction of the Euro 1 standard for motorcycles and mopeds in 1999, pollutant emissions have been drastically reduced. Combined emissions of hydrocarbons (HC) and nitrogen oxides (NO_x) have gone down by 96.6%, whilst carbon monoxide (CO) emissions have been reduced by 92.3%.

The Euro 5 environmental standard in detail

Under the new Euro 5 standard, tailpipe emissions of mopeds, motorcycles, tricycles and quadricycles will not be allowed to exceed 1,000 mg/km of carbon monoxide (CO), 100 mg/km total hydrocarbons (THC), 68 mg/km non-methane hydrocarbons (NMHC), 60 mg/km of oxides of nitrogen (NOx) and 4.5 mg/km of particulate matter (PM). These Euro 5 tailpipe pollutant emission limits are the same as those of Euro 6 for cars.

The new Euro 5 standard that will replace the previous one (Euro 4) will become mandatory for all new type-approved motorcycles and mopeds as of 1 January 2020. Some niche segments (i.e. enduro and trial motorcycles, three-wheeled mopeds designed for utility purposes and light quadrimobiles) have been granted additional lead time. These niche products will have to comply with the new Euro 5 tailpipe emissions limits as of 1 January 2024.

Durability provisions and evaporative emission levels are equally becoming more stringent. Another important innovation is the progressive introduction of a second stage on-board diagnostic (OBD), allowing advanced identification and flagging of malfunction and deterioration of emission control systems.

Quote

Antonio Perlot, ACEM Secretary General, said:

“From a supply side perspective, vehicle technology has been instrumental in improving the environmental performance of motorcycles. ACEM members have invested heavily in research and product development to develop Euro 5 compliant motorcycles equipped with technologies such as 3-way catalysts with oxygen sensor controls, complex electronic engine management systems, advanced fuel injection and variable valve timing and lift technologies”.

“As a result of this, the environmental performance of Euro 5 motorcycles will be equivalent to that of Euro 6 cars. ACEM sees this fitting within the vision of the recent European Green Deal of achieving less polluting transport, especially in cities, and further enabling the contribution of our range of vehicles to a multimodal transport system”.

Press contact

For further information or to receive future market updates, news or press releases please contact:
Ilaria Balloni. ACEM communications assistant
E.
P. +32 22 30 97 32

Documents available to download

ACEM Press release - New Euro 5 environmental standard [PDF]

Registrations of motorcycles in the EU reached 912,972 units during the first 9 months of 2019, according to the latest estimate by the European Association of Motorcycle Manufacturers (ACEM). This represents an increase of 8.5% compared to the same period in 2018.

Italy remains the largest European motorcycle market with 198,119 units (a 6.2% increase on a year-on-year basis), followed by France (161,822 motorcycles, +11.6%), Germany (151,241 motorcycles, +7.5%), Spain (136,543 motorcycles, +10.2%) and the UK (84,591 motorcycles, +1.7%).

Motorcycle registrations increased in all EU countries.

Moped registrations in the EU continue increasing

The European moped market reached 243,341 units during the first 9 months of 2019. This represents an increase of about 14.8% compared to the registration levels in the first nine months of 2018 (211,966 units). The largest markets for mopeds in Europe were France (70,290 units), the Netherlands (50,232 units), Belgium (21,419 units), Germany (21,069 units) and Poland (16,776 units).

Registrations of electric vehicles in the EU up by 61.3%

Combined registrations of electric mopeds, motorcycles and quadricycles reached 58,295 units during the first nine months of 2019. This represents a substantial increase of 61.3% compared to the registration levels in the same period of 2018 (36,150 units).

Most of the electric L-category vehicles registered in 2019 are mopeds (46,858 units), followed by motorcycles (9,386 units) and a much smaller number of quadricycles (about 2,051 units).

About ACEM

The European Association of Motorcycle Manufacturers (ACEM) represents manufacturers of mopeds, motorcycles, three-wheelers and quadricycles (L-category vehicles) in Europe.

ACEM members include 18 manufacturing companies: BMW Motorrad, Bombardier Recreational Products (BRP), Ducati Motor holding, Harley-Davidson, Honda, Kawasaki, KTM, KYMCO, MV Agusta, Peugeot Scooters, Piaggio, Polaris Industries, Renault, Royal Enfield, Suzuki, Triumph Motorcycles and Yamaha.

 ACEM also represents 18 motorcycle industry associations in 15 different European countries.

Documents available to download

ACEM - Statistical press release - January - September 2019 [pdf]

ACEM - Statistical press release - January - September 2019 [xls]

Press contact

For further information or to receive future market updates, news or press releases please contact:
Ilaria Balloni. ACEM communications assistant
E.
P. +32 22 30 97 32 

Today the European Motorcycle Training Quality Label received the Road Safety Charter Award in the category “voluntary commitments” during an event organized by the European Commission in Brussels. The European award acknowledges inspirational and innovative initiatives that contribute towards improving road safety and saving lives on Europe’s roads.

The award was presented by the European Commissioner for Transport, Violeta Bulc, to the Secretary General of the European Association of Motorcycle Manufacturers (ACEM), Antonio Perlot, who received it on behalf of the three members running the European Motorcycle Training Quality Label: ACEM, the International Motorcycling Federation (FIM) and the German Road Safety Council (DVR).

The European Motorcycle Training Quality Label is a voluntary certification scheme for post-licence motorcycle training programmes open to all training bodies. Its main objective is to help motorcyclists to recognize the best post-licence training options in Europe. The scheme was launched in 2016 and has certified 29 motorcycle training programmes in Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Spain and Sweden, with more programmes currently under assessment.

The Road Safety Award is one of the flagship initiatives of the European Road Safety Charter, the most important Europe-wide civil society platform on road safety. The Charter was initiated in 2004 by the European Commission to encourage key stakeholders to take specific and measurable road safety action within their area of responsibilities.

Quote

Commenting on the European Motorcycle Training Quality Label, the European Commissioner for Transport Violeta Bulc said: “We are grateful that the European Motorcycling Training Quality Label has been set up, responding to our call for voluntary commitments. Europe has some high-quality training schemes on offer, and the European Motorcycle Training Quality Label will help motorcyclists to identify the very best of them”.

Antonio Perlot, Secretary General of the European Association of Motorcycle Manufacturers (ACEM), said: “I am delighted to receive this award on behalf of the consortium running this programme. The Label is not only part of the motorcycle industry’s forward-looking safety strategy but also an excellent example of how cooperation between industry players, NGOs, motorcycle trainers and users’ organisations can deliver positive results in motorcycle safety”.

Christian Kellner, German Road Safety Council (DVR) CEO: “We are grateful to the European Commission for this award that honours the work of all the people involved in the European Motorcycle Training Quality Label. This recognition motivates us to continue working every day to make Europe’s roads safer”.

Jesper Christensen, FIM Director for Public Affairs: “Receiving this award from the European Commission is an honourable recognition of the joint road safety commitment made by FIM, ACEM and DVR. It shows that high quality post-licence training does play an important role in preserving motorcyclists’ safety and should be encouraged. This award is also one more reason for our organisation to continue supporting high quality training for all motorcyclists”.

Press contact

For further information please contact:
Ilaria Balloni. ACEM communications assistant
E.
P. +32 22 30 97 32

Documents available to download

Press Release - European Commissioner for Transport presents Road Safety Award to the European Motorcycle Training Quality Label - EN [PDF]

Press Release - European Commissioner for Transport presents Road Safety Award to the European Motorcycle Training Quality Label - FR [PDF]

Press Release - European Commissioner for Transport presents Road Safety Award to the European Motorcycle Training Quality Label - DE [PDF]

Press Release - European Commissioner for Transport presents Road Safety Award to the European Motorcycle Training Quality Label - ES [PDF]

Press Release - European Commissioner for Transport presents Road Safety Award to the European Motorcycle Training Quality Label - IT [PDF]

Photo - ACEM and FIM receiving the award

Photo - Road Safety Award Ceremony

Photo - Road Safety Award family picture

Registrations of motorcycles in the EU reached 618,502 units during the first 6 months of 2019, according to the latest figures of the European Association of Motorcycle Manufacturers (ACEM). This represents an increase of 9.1% compared to the same period of 2018.

With 138,650 units (a 6.2% increase on a year-on-year basis) Italy remains the largest European motorcycle market, followed by France (109,606 motorcycles, +12.5%), Germany (105,970 motorcycles, +8.5%), Spain (88,690 motorcycles, +12.6%) and the UK (56,611 motorcycles, +2.3%).

Motorcycle registrations also increased in almost all EU countries.

Moped registrations in the EU increased by 19.5%

The European moped market reached 147,826 units during the first 6 months of 2019. This represents an increase of 19.5% compared to the registration levels of the same period in 2018 (123,712 vehicles). The largest markets for mopeds in Europe were France (41,230 units), the Netherlands (31,154 units), Germany (14,629 units), Belgium (13,119 units) and Poland (10,427 units).

Registrations of electric vehicles in the EU up by 70%

Combined registrations of electric mopeds, motorcycles and quadricycles reached 35,810 units during the first six months of 2019. This represents a substantial increase of 70% compared to the registration levels of the first half of 2018 (21,062 units).
Most of the electric L-category vehicles registered in 2019 are mopeds (28,577 units), followed by motorcycles (5,812 units) and a much smaller number of quadricycles (about 1,421 units).

The largest European markets in terms of volume were France, where combined registrations of mopeds, motorcycles and quadricycles totalled 8,723 units (+60.6% on a year-on-year basis), followed by Belgium (8,087 vehicles, +111.0%), the Netherlands (6,321 vehicles, +62.1%), Spain (4,052 vehicles, +35.8%) and Italy (2,426 vehicles, +86.2%).

Documents available to download

ACEM - Statistical press release - January - June 2019 [pdf]

ACEM - Statistical press release - January - June 2019 [xls]

About ACEM

The European Association of Motorcycle Manufacturers (ACEM) represents manufacturers of mopeds, motorcycles, three-wheelers and quadricycles (L-category vehicles) in Europe.

ACEM members include 18 manufacturing companies: BMW Motorrad, Bombardier Recreational Products (BRP), Ducati Motor holding, Harley-Davidson, Honda, Kawasaki, KTM, KYMCO, MV Agusta, Peugeot Scooters, Piaggio, Polaris Industries, Renault, Royal Enfield, Suzuki, Triumph Motorcycles and Yamaha.

ACEM also represents 18 motorcycle industry associations operating in 15 European countries.

Press contact

For further information or to receive future market updates, news or press releases please contact:
Ilaria Balloni. ACEM communications assistant
E.   
P. +32 22 30 97 32

Registrations of motorcycles in the EU increased in most EU countries during the first 3 months of 2019. According to the latest figures of the European Association of Motorcycle Manufacturers (ACEM), registrations reached 244,991 units. This represents an increase of 19.2% compared to the same period of 2018.

With 54,826 units (a 18.7% increase on a year-on-year basis) Italy remains the largest European motorcycle market, followed by Germany (44,450 motorcycles, +23.3%), France (43,942 motorcycles, +20.0%), Spain (37,255 motorcycles, +20.5%) and the UK (25,913 motorcycles, +10.3%).

Moped registrations in the EU also increased by 30%

The European moped market reached 52,715 units during the first 3 months of 2019. This represents an increase of about 30.1% compared to the registration levels of the same period in 2018 (40,522 units). The largest markets for mopeds in Europe were France (17,997 units), Netherlands (13,040 units), Belgium (4,683 units), Spain (3,993 units) and Italy (3,846 units).

Registrations of electric vehicles up by 71% in the EU

Combined registrations of electric mopeds, motorcycles and quadricycles reached 14,251 units during the first three months of 2019. This represents a substantial increase of 71.2% compared to the registration levels of the first three months of 2018 (8,326 units).

Most of the electric L-category vehicles registered in the first three months of 2019 are mopeds (11,258), followed by motorcycles (2,295 units). The largest European markets in terms of volume were France, where combined registrations of mopeds, motorcycles and quadricycles totalled 4,407 units (+105% on a year-on-year basis), followed by Belgium (2 627 vehicles, +78.5%), Netherlands (2 598 vehicles, +52.6%), Spain (1,632 vehicles, +28%) and Italy (901 vehicles, +49,2%).

Quote

Commenting on the latest figures, Antonio Perlot, Secretary General of ACEM, said:

“The increase in vehicle registrations reflects the overall improving economic conditions across Europe, particularly in the largest EU markets, as well as European citizens’ preference for an an enjoyable and convenient means of transport”.

“At the same time, given the seasonal nature of motorcycle and moped markets, we will need to wait for the registration figures of late July to assess whether 2019 has been a very good year for our industry”.

Documents available to download

ACEM - Statistical press release - Q1 2019 [pdf]

ACEM - Statistical press release - Q1 2019 [xls]

Press contact

Ilaria Balloni
ACEM communications assistant
E.  
P. +32 (0)22 30 97 32

Today the European Association of Motorcycle Manufacturers (ACEM) held its 29th General Assembly. The event was hosted by Yamaha MBK at its manufacturing facility in Saint-Quentin, France.

The ACEM General Assembly confirmed the current Presidium for a new two-year mandate. President Mr. Stefan Pierer (CEO of KTM AG) and Vice-Presidents Mr. Michele Colaninno (member of Piaggio & C. SpA’s board of directors, CEO and COO of the Immsi Group, which controls the Piaggio Group) and Mr. Markus Schramm (President of BMW Motorrad) will start these new mandates on 1 July 2019.

During the General Assembly, ACEM also welcomed Quadro and Tekninen as new guest members of the European association.

Quadro Vehicles is a Swiss vehicle manufacturer that develops three and four-wheelers used mostly for urban mobility and characterized by a hydro-pneumatic suspension system which grants the vehicles an all-wheel tilting technology. The company, which manufactures both electric and internal combustion engine vehicles, is headquartered in Vacallo, Switzerland, and counts more than 500 retailers in 20 different countries all over the world.

Tekninen, the Association of Finnish Technical Traders, brings together about 380 Finnish companies, with combined annual sales of more than 10 billion Euros, representing about 85% of Finnish businesses. Tekninen’s motorcycle branch, one of the association’s 20 areas of operation, is a forum for companies active in the importing of motorcycles and mopeds, and related services. Tekninen’s motorcycle divisions aims to support the competitiveness of its members and raise industry profile in cooperation with stakeholders.

With the addition of these two members, ACEM's membership will now include a total of 18 manufacturing companies and 17 national industry associations.

Press contact

Ilaria Balloni. ACEM communications assistant
E.   
M. +32 22 30 16 83

A total of 1,004,063 motorcycles were registered in 2018 in the EU according to the final figures published today by the European Association of Motorcycle Manufacturers (ACEM). This represents an increase of 9.9% compared to 2017 numbers. The largest motorcycle markets in Europe in 2018 were: Italy (219,694 units), France (177,460 units) and Spain (159,946 motorcycles). Motorcycle figures include both two- and three-wheeled vehicles with an engine capacity above 50cc as well as electric motorcycles.

The European moped market dropped from 399,420 units in 2017 to 273,645 in 2018. This represented a decrease of 31.5%. The largest markets for mopeds in Europe were: France (72,940), Netherlands (58,969), Germany (25,634), Belgium (21,391) and Italy (21,326).

Registrations of electric motorcyles and mopeds increased in 2018 in the EU

In addition, the European electric motorcycle market grew from 4,121 units in 2017 to 7,478 units in 2018 (+81.5%). However, it remains at niche levels. Only 0.75% of all motorcycles registered in Europe in 2018 were electric. Registrations of electric mopeds in the EU increased substantially from 27,029 units in 2017 to 39,701 units in 2018 (+46.9%). The electric quadricycle market remained substantially stable at 3,242 units (-2.4% vs 2017).

Quote

Commenting on the latest market trends ACEM Secretary General Antonio Perlot said:

“2018 has been a positive year for the motorcycle industry, with motorcycle registrations increasing in almost all EU countries, and double digit growth figures in key markets such as Spain and Germany. Notwithstanding the short term fluctuations created by the shift from the Euro 3 to the Euro 4 standard, the European motorcycle market shows a general positive trend since 2013”.

“On the other hand, moped registrations in 2018 suffered a significant reduction, largely linked to the effect of the transition to Euro 4. This decline was only partially compensanted by higher electric moped registrations. Indeed, although the number of electric mopeds sold increased by 47% on a year-on-year basis, for the time being the absolute volumes remain at niche levels”.

“In any event, combined registrations of electric L-category vehicles (i.e. mopeds, motorcycles and quadricycles) do show a clear upward trend since 2011. This is particularly the case for those vehicle segments used for short- and medium range urban commuting and for which electrification is technically easier. 

Corrigendum (12 February 2019)

This web article was amended on 12 February 2019. The previous version of the text incorrectly stated that Germany was the third largest motorcycle market in Europe. In 2018 Spain was the third largest motorcycle market in the EU, behind Italy and France.

Documents available to download

ACEM - Statistical press release - 2018 figures [pdf]

ACEM - 2018 Final registrations figures [xls]

ACEM - 2018 Final registrations charts [xls]

Press contact

Manuel Ordonez de Barraicua
ACEM communications manager
E.
M. +32 496 52 65 17

Registrations of motorcycles in the EU reached 830,694 units during the first 9 months of 2018, according to the latest estimation of the European Association of Motorcycle Manufacturers (ACEM). This represents an increase of 8.2% compared to the same period of 2017. With 186,487 units (a 5.1% increase on a year-on-year basis) Italy remains the largest European motorcycle market, followed by France (146,276 motorcycles, +10%), Germany (140,628 motorcycles, +11.1%), Spain (113,650 motorcycles, +8.0%) and the UK (83,155 motorcycles, +3.7%).

Motorcycle registrations increased in all EU countries, with the exception of Poland, where they went down by 2.3%.

Moped registrations in the EU continue decreasing

The European moped market reached 209,562 units during the first 9 months of 2018. This represents a decrease of about 26.1% compared to the registration levels of the first nine months of 2017 (283,399 units). The largest markets for mopeds in Europe were: France (51,498 units), Netherlands (47,260 units), Germany (20,133 units), Italy (16,118 units) and Belgium (15,992 units).

Registrations of electric vehicles in the EU up by 49%

Combined registrations of electric mopeds, motorcycles and quadricycles reached 36,270 units during the first nine months of 2018. This represents a substantial increase of 52.8% compared to the registration levels of the same period of 2017 (23,722 units).

Most of the electric L-category vehicles registered in 2018 are mopeds (26,210 units), followed by motorcycles (7,652 units) and a much smaller number of quadricycles (about 2,408 units).

Documents available to download

ACEM - Statistical data - January - September 2018 [xls]

ACEM - Statistical press release - January - September 2018 [pdf]

Press contact

Manuel Ordonez de Barraicua. ACEM communications manager

E.  

P. +32 (0)22 30 97 32