Triumph predicts 23% sales growth in 2017

Big-bike market resilient to downturns

British maker Triumph Motorcycles is confident about its position as leader in the premium big-bike segment in Thailand, which has experienced strong growth in the last few years.

Triumph Motorcycles Thailand said its registration at the Land Transport Department tallied 2,086 units from January to August, an increase of 22.6% year-on-year.

“We believe we can sell 3,000 big bikes by the end of 2017, a 23% increase,” said general manager Jakkrapong Santirat.

“Thailand’s big bike market is less vulnerable to economic downturns because it depends on high-end buyers.”

Triumph i ntroduced three new models in Thailand this year, including two motorcycles launched yesterday: the Bonneville Bobber Black and Bonneville Speedmaster.

Thailand is t he first country i n Asia-Pacific to see these models. The country also contributes the highest proportion of sales in the region, Mr Jakkrapong said.

Triumph’s market share in the luxury big-bike segment in Thailand climbed from 40% in 2016 to 47.7% currently.

From January to August, Germany’s BMW Motorrad came in second with 1,077 units, a 24.6% market share.

Italian Ducati sold 775 units, a 17.7% share, while US Harley-Davidson sold 435 units for a 10% share.

Triumph, BMW and Ducati operate assembly plants in Thailand, while HarleyDavidson has recently decided to construct its third overseas facility in Rayong.

Triumph came to Thailand in 2002, after opening its first motorcycle components factory in the country to manufacture frames, fuel tanks, header systems, swinging arms, engine covers and chrome-plated parts.

A second factory opened in 2006, which includes a painting facility and an assembly line. A third one opened a year later, featuring high-pressure die casting and machining.

All three factories are located in Amata Nakorn Industrial Estate in Chon Buri, and represent a combined investment of more than 3 billion baht.

The company employs 1,100 workers in Thailand, and its local factories make up half of its total production capacity of 80,000 units a year.

All Triumph motorcycles made for the Thai market include 50-60% local content. Triumph ships its Thai-made motorcycles to 57 countries, representing 65-70% of Triumph sales worldwide.

Mr Jakkrapong aims to maintain 5-10% annual growth, on a par with the big-bike market in Thailand, which he said has room to expand.

By the end of next March, Triumph plans to have 14 outlets and service centres nationwide, an increase from its current 11.