Record sales for KTM in 2012
Europe’s second-largest motorcycle manufacturer has flagged up its best ever performance, with global annual bike sales up by 32 per cent to 107,142 units, including more than 8000 KTM-branded 200cc machines made and sold in India by its major shareholder and production partner Bajaj Auto.
KTM, which says that it expects to
report a record 2012 turnover exceeding £520m in forthcoming full-year financial results, most notably bucked a 12 per cent European market decline by increasing sales in Europe by nine per cent. This reflected a 33 per cent increase in the Austrian company’s share of the European motorcycle market to 7.5 per cent overall.
UK registrations for the brand rose
by 27 per cent to 3070 units, plus an unspecified number of unregistered purely off-road machines. Performance in the USA was also striking. There, KTM improved unit sales and revenue by about 25 per cent in a market that grew by only 1.2 per cent in total. It is also claiming a ten-fold sales increase in South-East Asia, without being specific as to the volume involved. “Particularly encouraging is the
market development in Asia, which has contributed significantly to the company’s success,” commented KTM chief executive Stefan Pierer, who bought Husqvarna from BMW in January.
India’s largest motorcycle manufacturer, Hero Motocorp, has announced that it will launch products in up to ten new markets across Latin America and Africa by the end of March, in a bid to fend off increased domestic competition. The overseas sales target is a million units by 2016. Hero, which is seeing its domestic domination rapidly
Hero MotoCorp launches big export drive
eroded by former joint-venture partner Honda, already exports bikes to Colombia in Latin America. But it has now begun shipping consignments to newly-appointed distributors in Honduras, Guatemala and El Salvador as well. In addition, Hero senior vice-president for marketing and sales Anil Dua has reported that distribution and partnership deals have been finalised in a number of African markets but declined to identify them or say how many units are involved.
Losses on bikes treble at Suzuki
Results for the nine months of Suzuki Motor Corporation’s financial year to 31 December 2012 reveal declining sales and accelerating losses for its motorcycle and ATV operations. Global revenue from the sector decreased by 13.5 per cent to £1.1bn. The associated operating loss grew to £68m, against a loss
of
£19m in the equivalent period of Suzuki’s previous financial year. Total bike sales volume deteriorated by 1.6 per cent to 1.015 million units with declines in every key market. Europe suffered most dramatically, as volume dropped by 32.6 per cent to 29,000 units and related revenue share shrank by 33.7 per cent to £141.8m. North America was down by 5.9 per cent at 32,000 units. Asia
posted a marginal 0.7 per cent reduction to 825,000 units. Japanese domestic sales fell by 3.7 per cent to 52,000 units. However, the company as a whole
performed much better, thanks to muscular automotive growth — especially driven by improving car sales in India, Indonesia, Thailand and Japan. Overall revenue was up by 1.4 per cent to £12.35bn. Operating profit grew by 5.9 per cent to £629.4m and net profit climbed by 19.2 per cent to £328.2m. For the full year to 31 March 2013, Suzuki is forecasting
revenue increasing by 3.5 per cent to £17.62bn, operating profit rising by nine per cent to £881m and net profit growing by 29.9 per cent to £474.4m.
Subdued growth on two wheels for Honda
Honda’s third-quarter financial results to 31 December 2012 present a downbeat picture for its motorcycle business, with a rise in revenue lagging well behind the rest of the company and profitability falling. Motorcycle-related revenue during the
three months increased by six per cent to £2.14bn. But resultant operating profit fell by 11.8 per cent to £158m. The drop was attributed to negative foreign exchange effects despite cost reductions. By comparison, car performance in the same period was on a roll, with the revenue climbing by 32 per cent to £13.3bn and operating profit surging to £492m from a loss of £117m a year earlier. Global bike sales volume was up by 5.7 per cent to 3.815 million units. Asia accounted for the bulk of this – stacking
on eight per cent to 3.225 million units, led by India and Thailand. Europe was responsible for a mere 29,000 units, down
by 6.5 per cent. North America recovered by a muscular 29 per cent to 62,000 units but this
was more than offset by a 9.7 per cent decline representing 48,000 fewer units in “other regions” – principally Brazil. For the nine months of the current financial year to date, Honda’s motorcycle revenue is down by
2.6 per cent at
£6.87bn. Associated operating profit has fallen by 22.5 per cent to £590m. However, global bike sales volume has grown by 5.8 per cent to 11.532 million units. For the full year to 31 March 2013, the company has now reduced its forecast by a marginal 0.3 per cent to a total of 15.52 million units.
Kawasaki remains in the red
Kawasaki Heavy Industries’ results for the nine months of its financial year to 31 December 2012 show the performance of its motorcycle and engine division has improved – but it still lost money. Global sales revenue from bikes and
ATVs for the three quarters to date has risen by 2.8 per cent to £1.09bn. But the division posted an operating loss of £13.8m. This is nevertheless considerably better than the £31.4m operating loss it incurred in the same period last year. KHI as a whole isn’t in particularly good shape, either. Total revenue has
dropped by 2.3 per cent to £6.07bn. Operating profit is down by 51.5 per cent at £157.2m. Net profit has shrunk by 42.6 per cent to £132.6m. However, Kawasaki’s share price remained remarkably unaffected following this results announcement because the group also raised its full-year operating profit forecast to around £275m. Given the seasonal nature of the
motorcycle business, that division should also strengthen its position with a shipment surge in the first three months of this year.
www.autocom.co.uk
Do you sell a Bluetooth headset communication system?
Find out why many dealers who do also insist on stocking Autocom, to give their customers the choice of a better ride, in every sense.
www.autocom.co.uk/getthefacts Autocom Communications Tel: +44 (0)1480 399499 | E-mail:
matthew@autocom.co.uk 12 MARCH 2013
Better choice, better sales.
International news
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72