TheScooterScoop

Big ticket items the world over are feeling the pinch of this transitional economy. All this uncertainty has had a measurable affect here and abroad. Many US scooter dealerships showed a 50% decreases in sales for December over last years numbers, but we’re not alone. Even in scootercentric regions like the UK sales showed a decrease in 2008 over the prior year’s numbers.

December’s motorcycle sales in the UK were down an astonishing 19.1%! Even with that plunge, motorbike sales for 2008 ended the year down just 3.4%. These figures actually show the apparent stability of the bike market when compared to the car market, which experienced a cheek-clenching 11.3% drop in 2008.

So, if bike sales are relatively stable, what bikes were selling? Post-analysis of UK motorcycle sales show an upturn in the sale of commuter bikes and a drop in sportsbike sales. The five best-selling models of 2008 were small-capacity motorcycles, mopeds and scooters with engines of less than 125cc.

While these numbers may not directly translate for the American market, we can’t be that far off. There was a huge surge of small displacement scooter sales in 2008 (Q3 alone showed a 50.6% increase YTD from 2007) and Q4 for car dealers was abysmal with sales dropping over 30% for major automakers (source).

So, what does 2009 hold for scooter dealers in the US? It’s a tale as yet untold. One can only image that gas prices will increase as they do every summer. Some consumers are finding it difficult to get big ticket financing with lenders playing it safe (even after the bailout). Still others are feeling like they don’t have the stability to risk making a $20,000 purchase until the economy shows improvement. Car dealerships are closing at an ever increasing pace. (as they have been since 2007). Americans have to get around SOME way. Will consumers risk a $3000 transportation investment over a $20,000 investment? Will more Americans take the bus or telecommute? Will gas prices be the determining factor? And… how will Dubai afford to restock the gold-plated caviar for their 6-Star hotel (Tower of the Arabs) after the demise of the gas guzzler?

(Hrm… That pint and the fish and chips dooooo look good!)
***UPDATE 1/9/09***

OMG! :D-BWAHAHAH!
You’ve gotta see this advertisement over at idly.org
Wait, what am I laughing about?! IT’S TRUE! (*grrrr* now I’m mad.)
Actually, I’ll post a copy down here too in case it vanishes.

(click to enlarge)
***UPDATE 1/9/2009***
Wow! We had an Anon commenter point out an impressive bit of info which I had missed. As of today Ford still has not taken any of the Bailout money (source). I’m very impressed! Ford, you’re ok in my book. I’ve changed the image to remove the word “Ford” from the bottom. But, if you take that money… back it goes. Now, please do me a favor and bring us some small, efficient, environmentally friendly, safe cars… Like the Mitsubishi i! <3