Big year for key players
Record sales show the allure of motorcycles is on the rise
Two major bike manufacturers are celebrating bumper 2022 sales across the world.
BMW have announced their best ever motorcycle sales with a total of 202,895 bikes and scooters finding new homes – an increase of 4.4% over the previous year.
Germany remains BMW's biggest European market with a record number of 21,223 machines handed over to customers, that is an increase of 6.7% over 2021.
Growth was also to be found in China, India, Brazil and the USA. Indian sales are the standout statistic with a 40.3% sales increase (7282 units) while over in North America they saw an increase of 11% (20,295 units).
Latin American markets also grew by 17.2% with Brazil driving that increase with a 17% rise in sales.
BMW Motorrad's adventure models, the R1250GS and GS Adventure, lead the way selling an almost combined 60,000 units.
Dr Markus Schramm, Head of BMW Motorrad said: "The record result in 2022 clearly proves that our attractive product range and our brand are very popular with customers. I look forward to our centenary year in 2023 with great joy and confidence."
Ducati too are reflecting on record sales numbers with 61,562 new motorcycles bought across the globe, representing a 3.6% growth over the figures for 2021.
Ducati CEO Claudio Domenicali said: “The Ducati brand has never been more loved and desirable, thanks to our extraordinary sporting achievements. Ducati today is in my opinion the best ever and reflects the work done in recent years on the growth and enhancement of talents.” ● Ducati MotoE bike enters production, see p19
‘I look forward to our centenary year in 2023’