You know, I was just reading something about India’s motorcycle and scooter market. It’s a Bloomberg story that reports an 8 percent drop in motorcycle and scooter sales for the span of April 2007 and January 2008, down to, get THIS, 6.1 million units (and they are the SECOND-largest market for 2-wheeled vehicles). Let’s put that in perspective, shall we? India is about 1/3rd the size of the USA. Oh kaaay? In 2005, according to the MIC, the USA had experienced a growth in motorcycle and scooter sales reaching 1.1 million units. Even the zenith of annual motorcycle & scooter sales back in 1973 numbered only 1.5 million bikes. It sorta explains why major manufacturers have historically considered the USA a minor market.
So, the next time you ask “Why don’t we have a Honda SH300i or a Super Cub”, you kinda get it… and by “you” I mostly mean “me”… and Lorenzo… and all the others who’ve had a bone to pick with Honda. If China is the #1 consumer of scooters and India is #2, I wonder where the USA ranks. Any ideas?
4. March 2008 at 5:07 am
India may be 1/3 the size of the US physically, but population wise, the US is <1/3 the size of India.
(US >300,000,000; India >1,000,000,000 people)
That and the natural congestion that would bring about, may also be contributing factors to the better 2-wheeled market. Not to mention the lower yearly income…
4. March 2008 at 5:12 am
Good analysis Valimagdon! Thanks for that. I didn’t realize the population difference. WOW! I’m amazed.
6. March 2008 at 2:35 pm
3rd largest motorcycle market if I’m not mistaken is Indonesia. Maybe followed by Vietnam, then Thailand.