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A DECISION by major all-terrain vehicle (ATV) manufacturers to cease importing the vehicles into Australia slashed off-road vehicle sales by 45 per cent compared to the first six months of 2021. 

The end of importation of ATVs from the major companies, caused by safety concerns with the new quad bike standards, eroded sales but was exacerbated by abnormally high sales in previous years triggered by the rush by rural buyers to secure their favourite ATV brand before being sold out.

In the first half of 2021, 13,779 ATVs were sold but in the same period in 2022, only 7575 units were sold.

In the six months of 2022, a total of 47,929 motorcycles, scooters and off-road vehicles were sold. This is a fall of 14.2 per cent – or 7911 units – compared with the same period in 2021.

However, the total motorcycle sales figure was likely to be closer to 60,000 units. 

Motorcycle specialist website MCNews.com.au said that unlike its NZ counterpart, the Australian Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries (FCAI) did not show brand-by-brand sales and the sales data provided did not include all brands available in Australia.

It said that brands under the Urban Moto Imports group – including Royal Enfield, Benelli, MV Agusta, Segway and Rieju – are not included in the FCAI audit.

“Likewise, the likes of CFMoto, Kymco, Sherco and Landboss that come under the stewardship of Mojo Motorcycles, are not included in the sales figures as these companies are not members of the FCAI,” the website said.

“With the quoted 47,929 total sales in the Australian market not including sales from those brands the real figure is quite likely in excess of 60,000,” MCNews said.

The FCAI reported that road motorcycle sales grew by 4.8 per cent on 2021 figures and scooters grew by 11.4 per cent. Off-road motorcycles and off-road vehicles declined. 

In announcing the data, the FCAI said off-road motorcycles had two exceptional sales years in 2020 and 2021 “as many people purchased these motorcycles to enjoy recreational activities during the COVID period.”

“From January-June 2022 a total of 19,406 off road motorcycles were sold,” the FCAI said.

“While this represents a decrease of 12.7 per cent on the same period in 2021, sales are still higher than pre-COVID years.”

FCAI chief executive Tony Weber said that the global automotive supply chain crunch was also having an impact.

“Global shipping remains unpredictable. This is impacting both production of motorcycles, scooters and off-road vehicles and their freight to Australia,” said Mr Weber.

The FCAI said that while total sales are down, road motorcycles and scooters remained important elements of Australia’s mobility network.

Mr Weber said that increasing congestion in capital cities meant decision makers needed to plan with road motorcycles and scooters in mind. 

“These vehicles are an important tool in improving traffic flow, therefore reducing trip times for all road users,” said Mr Weber.

Further planning was also needed in regional areas. The FCAI said that decisions around land use planning in rural and regional areas, particularly those adjacent to population centres, need to factor in off-road motorcycle and vehicle use.

“We are seeing public land which riders have traditionally been able to access for recreation being locked up. As an industry we are calling on decision makers to consider the needs of recreational riders in land use planning decisions,” added Mr Weber.

By Neil Dowling

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