U.S. Motorcycle And Scooter Imports

In May 2023, supplies from abroad of motorcycles and scooters decreased by -7.6% to 49K units for the first time since February 2023, thus ending a two-month rising trend. Over the period under review, imports recorded a slight reduction. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in October 2022 when imports increased by 49% m-o-m. As a result, imports attained the peak of 75K units. From November 2022 to May 2023, the growth of imports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, motorcycle and scooter imports fell to $236M (IndexBox estimates) in May 2023. Overall, imports saw a perceptible curtailment. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in October 2022 with an increase of 50% month-to-month. As a result, imports attained the peak of $332M. From November 2022 to May 2023, the growth of imports remained at a lower figure.

Imports by Country

China (11K units), Austria (9.8K units) and Thailand (6.1K units) were the main suppliers of motorcycle and scooter imports to the United States, together comprising 55% of total imports. These countries were followed by Japan, India, Italy, Indonesia, Canada and Mexico, which together accounted for a further 37%.

From May 2022 to May 2023, the biggest increases were in India (with a CAGR of +4.6%), while purchases for the other leaders experienced mixed trend patterns.

In value terms, Austria ($48M), Canada ($38M) and Japan ($32M) were the largest motorcycle and scooter suppliers to the United States, together comprising 50% of total imports. These countries were followed by Thailand, Italy, India, Mexico, China and Indonesia, which together accounted for a further 35%.

Among the main suppliers, India, with a CAGR of +5.3%, recorded the highest growth rate of the value of imports, over the period under review, while purchases for the other leaders experienced mixed trend patterns.

Imports by Type

Motorcycles (including mopeds) and cycles; fitted with an auxiliary motor, reciprocating internal combustion piston engine, of cylinder capacity exceeding 50cc but not exceeding 250cc, with or without side-cars; side-cars (23K units), motorcycles (including mopeds) and cycles; fitted with an auxiliary motor, reciprocating internal combustion piston engine, of cylinder capacity exceeding 250cc but not exceeding 500cc, with or without side-cars; side-cars (13K units) and motorcycles (including mopeds) and cycles; fitted with auxiliary motor, with reciprocating internal combustion piston engine of a cylinder capacity exceeding 800cc, with or without side-cars; side-cars (9K units) were the main products of motorcycle and scooter imports to the United States, with a combined 93% share of total imports.

From May 2022 to May 2023, the biggest increases were in motorcycles (including mopeds) and cycles; fitted with an auxiliary motor, reciprocating internal combustion piston engine, of cylinder capacity exceeding 250cc but not exceeding 500cc, with or without side-cars; side-cars (with a CAGR of +0.1%), while purchases for the other products experienced a decline.

In value terms, motorcycles (including mopeds) and cycles; fitted with auxiliary motor, with reciprocating internal combustion piston engine of a cylinder capacity exceeding 800cc, with or without side-cars; side-cars ($117M) constituted the largest type of motorcycle and scooter supplied to the United States, comprising 50% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was taken by motorcycles (including mopeds) and cycles; fitted with an auxiliary motor, reciprocating internal combustion piston engine, of cylinder capacity exceeding 250cc but not exceeding 500cc, with or without side-cars; side-cars ($53M), with a 23% share of total imports. It was followed by motorcycles (including mopeds) and cycles; fitted with an auxiliary motor, reciprocating internal combustion piston engine, of cylinder capacity exceeding 50cc but not exceeding 250cc, with or without side-cars; side-cars, with a 17% share.

Import Prices by Country

In May 2023, the motorcycle and scooter price stood at $4,783 per unit (CIF, US), falling by -3.8% against the previous month. Over the period under review, the import price recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in February 2023 when the average import price increased by 12% month-to-month. As a result, import price attained the peak level of $5.3M per thousand units. From March 2023 to May 2023, the average import prices failed to regain momentum.

Prices varied noticeably by the country of origin: the country with the highest price was Canada ($20,797 per unit), while the price for China ($831 per unit) was amongst the lowest.

From May 2022 to May 2023, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Italy (+2.2%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Market Intelligence Platform