What motorcycle brand fared the best in 2009?
The phrase “flat is the new up” was commonly used to describe industry sales in 2009. Unfortunately for the motorcycle industry, no manufacturer hit the “new up” when it came to new unit sales. The company that came closest, however, may surprise you.
This company has the lowest percentage decline in new unit sales compared to the prior-year period. What company was it?
Reply to this blog with your guesses. Oh, and if you’re a Motorcycle Industry Council (MIC) member who already has this information, that doesn’t mean you can cheat.
After a sufficient amount of responses, I’ll follow up with the brand name and all the details, including sales numbers. PSB readers will see the full-year sales report in the coming weeks.
Don’t forget to submit your guess. Good luck!
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By Jami, January 12, 2010 @ 3:14 pm
Kymco
By Vaughn, January 12, 2010 @ 3:17 pm
Triumph.
By Gene, January 12, 2010 @ 3:21 pm
Ducati
By Gene, January 12, 2010 @ 3:26 pm
No, no, wait….VESPA!
By Gene, January 12, 2010 @ 3:27 pm
Ariel?
By Gene, January 12, 2010 @ 3:29 pm
NORTON!! Please? I’ve got a Molson’s bet on it.
By Erin, January 12, 2010 @ 3:30 pm
Triumph
By Ross, January 12, 2010 @ 3:44 pm
KTM
By MSD, January 12, 2010 @ 3:55 pm
Ducati
By Patti, January 12, 2010 @ 4:22 pm
BMW
By Reno, January 12, 2010 @ 5:02 pm
KTM
By Kyle, January 12, 2010 @ 5:02 pm
Victory
By Tom, January 12, 2010 @ 6:13 pm
Husqvarna sales are up – they just do not report to the MIC
By Karin Gelschus - Associate Editor, Powersports Business, January 12, 2010 @ 7:18 pm
Lets have a few more, and I’ll give you a good hint.
By Jeremy, January 12, 2010 @ 8:18 pm
Genuine Scooter Co
By David, January 12, 2010 @ 9:26 pm
Triumph Motorcycles
By Mark Appleton, British Cycle Supply Co., January 12, 2010 @ 9:39 pm
Triumph
By Larry Middleton, January 13, 2010 @ 5:55 am
Ducati
By jay, January 13, 2010 @ 6:14 am
Honda
By William, January 13, 2010 @ 6:26 am
Cobra Motorcycle Mfg. You know, the fastest 50s in the world that take every championship that they come across. They have a 65 too.
By David Norman, January 13, 2010 @ 6:41 am
Victory
By Joe Vancour, January 13, 2010 @ 6:43 am
VICTORY!
By Karin Gelschus - Associate Editor, Powersports Business, January 13, 2010 @ 7:41 am
OK here’s a big hint: one person said it. I’ll post the answer early this afternoon.
By Sandy, January 13, 2010 @ 7:52 am
Victory
By Sandy, January 13, 2010 @ 7:54 am
Changed my mind…….Vespa
By Sheila, January 13, 2010 @ 9:35 am
Kymco
By Karin Gelschus - Associate Editor, Powersports Business, January 13, 2010 @ 11:30 am
OK enough suspense…
ANSWER: The company that has the lowest percentage decline in new unit sales compared to 2008 – BMW Motorrad USA.
The company’s end-of-year on-road sales only declined 22 percent, which is about half the decline the rest of the industry faced, stated BMW in a press release. The Motorcycle Industry Council hasn’t yet released end of year sales numbers, but at the end of the third quarter, on-road sales were off almost 44 percent.
Last year BMW was one of just two motorcycle manufacturers to have positive growth.
Stay tuned to Powersports Business for the full-year sales report in the coming weeks.
Congrats Patti! You’re the only person who guessed right!
By Ranjit, January 25, 2010 @ 7:37 pm
Honda I assume!
By Dan Denchel, January 31, 2010 @ 6:58 pm
Triumph
By David, February 3, 2010 @ 8:40 pm
Ducati