H1 MOTORCYCLE SALES UP 6.4%

People ride motorbikes along a street in Vietnam - PHOTO: VGP

HCMC – Motorcycle sales in Vietnam rose 6.4% in the first half of this year from a year earlier, backed by price cuts and promotions, industry data showed.

The Vietnam Association of Motorcycle Manufacturers (VAMM) said its five members – Honda, Yamaha, Piaggio, SYM and Suzuki – sold a combined 1.28 million units in the period.

Second-quarter sales reached 611,236 units, down 9.2% from the first quarter but up 1.34% year-on-year.

Honda Vietnam led the market with 1.1 million units sold in the first six months, accounting for over 83% of total VAMM sales. The company’s June sales rose 8.2% from a year earlier to 164,584 units.

Vietnam’s motorcycle output rose 6.3% year-on-year to 1.57 million units in the same period, according to the General Statistics Office.

The market includes non-VAMM brands and electric motorcycle makers, as well as imported models from Kawasaki, Ducati, Harley-Davidson, KTM, and Husqvarna.

Electric motorcycles remain a small segment. Barriers include battery costs, limited charging infrastructure, and concerns about range, especially outside urban areas.

Manufacturers have offered discounts, free registration, insurance, and accessories to spur demand.

VAMM members expect steady growth in the second half, supported by back-to-school and holiday demand and continued sales incentives.

Source: The Saigon Times