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OXFORD ECONOMICS & ACEM

THE IMPORTANCE OF THE MOTORCYCLE INDUSTRY TO EUROPE

NEW RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS THE ECONOMIC AND MOBILITY BENEFITS OF TWO-WHEELERS IN EUROPE. HERE IS THE MAIN DATA.

Source: acem.eu/new-research-highlights-the-economic-and-mobility-benefits-of-two-wheelers-in-europe

September 2021 – The role of the motorcycle industry has emerged particularly since the beginning of the global pandemic: the need for individual mobility, combined with the need for physical distancing elevated the importance of two-wheeled motorised vehicles as fundamental means of safe transport. But how much of an economic and environmental impact does the industry have in Europe, and how much does it impact people’s lives? Questions for which we have thorough and detailed answers from new research by Oxford Economics – “The economic importance of motorcycles to Europe” – conducted in coordination with ACEM-The Motorcycle Industry in Europe, the association that includes the major motorcycle manufacturers. A broad and detailed study that examines every aspect of the sector and records how and to what extent it impacts people’s lives.

ACEM video - The economic importance of motorcycles to Europe.

In their press release dedicated to presenting the research, ACEM reveals that the Oxford Economics study shows that the motorcycle sector in the EU and the UK supports about 389,000 jobs through different activities including the manufacturing of vehicles, parts and accessories, and personal protective equipment, as well as motorcycle-related activities.

Source: acem.eu/new-research-highlights-the-economic-and-mobility-benefits-of-two-wheelers-in-europe

The study has also found that just in 2019, the motorcycle sector contributed about €21.4 billion of GDP across Europe. All in all, every €1 of GDP created directly by motorcycle businesses supported a further € 1.80 of GDP in other industries, due to the various knock-on expenditure impacts. In terms of tax revenue, the motorcycle sector and related activities generated about €16.6 billion, making motorcycling an important contributor to public finances, particularly in large markets like Germany, France, Italy, UK and Spain. Europe-based motorcycle companies export goods for about €2.1 billion per year.
The report also analysed the role of the motorcycle industry in the area of international trade. EU and UK based motorcycle companies export every year about €2.1 billion worth of vehicles, parts and components to non-European customers.
The key export markets included the US, Switzerland, Australia and Japan. However, as the study stresses, “European exporters face high import tariffs in China and Thailand as well as India”, all of which are major markets with significant growth potential for European motorcycle manufacturers.

Source: acem.eu/new-research-highlights-the-economic-and-mobility-benefits-of-two-wheelers-in-europe

Significant mobility, time savings and environmental benefits. The study prepared by Oxford Economics also examined the additional benefits offered by motorcycles to their users, and to the environment. A scenario analysis suggests that if 5% of those who commute by car across Europe (5.3 million commuters) switched to motorcycles, the aggregate time savings would be 21.2 million days per annum — worth €3.3 billion to these users.
Motorcycles were also found to offer substantial cost savings due to lower fuel use and operating costs. On average, the cost of commuting by motorcycle (€545) was nearly one-third of what it would cost to use a car (€1,435) across a year.

Source: acem.eu/new-research-highlights-the-economic-and-mobility-benefits-of-two-wheelers-in-europe

The research confirmed that motorcycles have a smaller environmental footprint than four-wheelers, with the average powered-two wheeler in the European vehicle fleet emitting about 99 g CO2/km, less than half of the 210 g CO2/km emitted by the average car (petrol and diesel). Interestingly, motorcycles up to 250 cc were found to emit on average 62 g CO2/km. About 62% of Europe’s two-wheelers fall into this category.
Motorcycle leisure, sports and events are of no less economic and social importance. In fact, the study also examined the economic importance of motorcycle-related events, i.e. motorcycle sports, motorcycle trade fairs and events organized by OEMs (original equipment manufacturers).

In total, these activities contributed about €2.1 billion to Europe’s GDP and supported about 38,400 jobs and €1.2 billion in tax payments. A large part of that impact happened in local communities that greatly benefited from international tourists attending motorcycle-related events.

Source: acem.eu/new-research-highlights-the-economic-and-mobility-benefits-of-two-wheelers-in-europe

The study found that about 5 million spectators attended major motorcycle sporting events in 2019, with MotoGP attracting about 1.8 million spectators to its 12 European races in that season. Furthermore, about 2.5 million people attended motorcycle trade fairs and manufacturers' promotional events the same year.

The research also studied the impact of COVID-19 on motorcycle manufacturers’ activities. In fact, an additional annex extended the analysis into 2020, gauging the impact that the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic had on the motorcycle industry.

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Motorcycle manufacturing activity in Europe was interrupted in a substantial way at the height of the pandemic in March - April 2020, with production falling substantially across the continent, largely linked to the impact of national lockdowns.

Amongst the major motorcycle manufacturing companies, the interruption to factory work was significant, but work in the HQ functions, R&D and trading held up relatively well. Also, motorcycle companies responded to Covid in such a way as to ensure that they are in a good position for the future, by largely maintaining the volume of work (in terms of hours) undertaken on R&D and design, and putting in place the staff protocols and infrastructure necessary to support widespread homeworking.
Motorcycle companies tended to protect active staff headcount, with hours per head temporarily cut in preference to direct layoffs.

QUOTES. Stefan Pierer, President of ACEM, said: “Oxford Economics’ research demonstrates that the motorcycle sector makes a valuable economic and societal contribution to Europe’s economy and mobility. In spite of recent challenges such as the Covid-19 pandemic or a difficult international trade environment, our sector remains strong. The motorcycle industry will continue to play a positive role in terms of job creation, economic growth and urban and leisure mobility.

Antonio Perlot, Secretary General of ACEM, said: “There has never been a better time to provide a snapshot of the motorcycle industry and related sectors. This study provides a detailed picture of the benefits that today’s motorcycles bring today to their users, to the people involved in the motorcycle sector, and to the economy and society at large. Looking ahead, we expect mobility in Europe to undergo a profound transformation process. Motorcycle manufacturers within ACEM are committed to address those challenges, and to bring to market vehicles enabling even more efficient and more sustainable urban and recreational mobility. This is part of the forward-looking vision of the sector, to the horizon 2030 and beyond.

SOURCE: Acem. The Oxford Economics research is available here:
acem.eu/new-research-highlights-the-economic-and-mobility-benefits-of-two-wheelers-in-europe

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