Registrations in key European markets in the first half of 2023 confirm growing interest for L-category vehicles

Photo credit: ACEM

26 Jul 2023

Registrations in key European markets in the first half of 2023 confirm growing interest for L-category vehicles

New motorcycle registrations in five of the largest European markets (i.e. France, Germany, Italy, Spain and the UK) reached 600,784 units during the first half of 2023.

This represents an increase of 11.3% compared to the same period in 2022 (539,644 units). Motorcycle registration volumes significantly increased in Italy (192,497 units, +19.1% year-on-year) and Spain (102,626 units, +11.7%), Germany (129,964 units, +10.1%) and France (116,224 units, +7.5%) showed an upward trend. Volumes remained broadly stable in UK (59,741 units, -0.9%). Moped registrations reached a total volume of 99,782 units in the six European moped markets monitored by ACEM (i.e. Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands and Spain). This registration volume represents an overall reduction of 25.8% in comparison to last year (134,503 units), widespread in the monitored countries, except for Belgium (15,864 units, +2.8%).

Quote

Commenting on the current situation of the sector, Antonio Perlot, ACEM Secretary General, said:

“When it comes to long term EU market trends, over the last three years motorcycles have shown an outstanding progression nearing +50%. Mopeds an overall reduction of -12% with a growing share of electric propulsion, even if fluctuating due to the effect of incentives. All in all, data confirms consumers’ growing interest for L-category vehicles, for convenient short range mobility and for leisure”.

Documents available to download

ACEM - Statistical press release - January - June 2023 [PDF]
ACEM - Statistical press release - January - June 2023 [XLS]
ACEM - Statistical releases - FAQ [PDF]
ACEM - Statistical releases - Glossary [PDF]

Press contact

Antonio Perlot

ACEM Secretary General

Note for editors

As of 2020, ACEM statistical releases cover the following:

For the motorcycle segment: Italy, France, Germany, Spain and UK. These countries account for about 80% of motorcycle registrations in the EU + UK block.
For the moped segment: France, the Netherlands, Germany, Italy, Belgium, and Spain. These countries account for about 80% of moped registrations in the EU + UK block.
Moped figures include L1eB vehicles (two-wheel mopeds) and L2e vehicles (three-wheel mopeds). Some countries may also include L1e-A vehicles (powered cycles) depending on their administrative practices.

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, Qooder, Royal Enfield, Suzuki, Triumph Motorcycles, Yamaha and Zero Motorcycles.
ACEM also represents 20 motorcycle industry associations in 17 different European countries. About 300,000 jobs depend on the L-category industry in Europe. There are more than 39 million motorcycles and scooters on Europe’s roads (2019 estimate).