The double wheel rose
Motorcycle sales broke a record after gasoline prices reached 40 lira and even the price of second-hand vehicles, very old and considered “scrap,” exceeded 200 thousand lira. It is claimed that the increase in the number of motor couriers due to the increase in e-commerce volume also influences this.
According to data from the Motorcycle Industry Association (MOTED), motorcycle sales increased by 199.8 percent in July 2023 compared to the same month last year. Sales recorded in the first 7 months of the year reached 528 thousand units, exceeding the sales of 415 thousand units made throughout last year.
Thus, motorcycle sales broke a record by exceeding 500 thousand units for the first time.
A RECORD IS REACHED IN SALES OF SECOND-HAND MOTORCYCLES
The motorcycle market, which gained new users since those who had a car license (class B) could use motorcycles up to 50 cc, accelerated its sales with the pandemic.
The real sales boom comes after the recent rise in fuel and car prices.
There is a sharp increase not only in new motorcycle sales but also in second-hand sales.
According to data from the Turkish Statistical Institute (TUIK), 901,725 vehicles were transferred in July 2023. 15.7 percent of these vehicles, that is, 141,570, were motorcycles.
According to data collected by MOTED from TURKSTAT, while a total of 771,856 second-hand motorcycles were sold throughout last year, 625,867 second-hand motorcycles were sold in the first 7 months of this year.
This means that record levels of second-hand motorcycle sales will be reached before the end of 2023. It is estimated that second-hand motorcycle sales will reach one million units by the end of the year.
In the first 7 months of the year, 625,867 used motorcycles were sold (Source: MOTED)
IT WAS SOLD EVEN IN PROVINCES OF ANATOLIA WHICH HAD NO DEMAND
Speaking to Sozcu.com.tr, MOTED general coordinator Remzi ÖztürkAccording to , the sales boom has become such that motorcycles are now sold even in areas of Anatolia where there is no demand.
Stating that the first activity on the market began when those with a car license, that is, class B license, used motorcycles up to 50 cc, and that they gained new users after this application, Öztürk said that they have been conducting studies. and workshops since 2015 to revitalize the sector.
Öztürk noted that the absence of a surprise tax increase on motorcycles since 2018 was also effective in driving upward sales, stating that the first increase came with the Covid-19 pandemic.
Stating that the recent level of fuel and car prices has increased the demand for motorcycles, Öztürk said: “It is difficult to get cars and gasoline. Of course, it doesn’t end there, insurance, car insurance and MTV payments have become very difficult. “The increase in the number of motorcycles in transportation has also changed the perception of safety in relation to motorcycle accidents,” he said.
Second-hand motorcycle sales figures by province (2023: covers the January-July period)
‘THERE IS A LINE UNTIL JANUARY, THOSE WHO WANT TO BUY NOW OWE A DIFFERENCE OF 30 THOUSAND TL.’
The momentum achieved in sales means it is postponed to January 2024.
Speaking to Sozcu.com.tr, President of the Istanbul Motor Vehicle Dealers Association (İMAS) Hayrettin Erkaynak said: “There is a queue of at least 3 or 4 months. “Today, a citizen who wants to buy a motorcycle can do so in December or January at the earliest,” he said.
According to Er Temel, this situation creates problematic situations, such as dealers with stock selling motorcycles at prices higher than the list price to those who want to buy motorcycles before their turn comes:
“Those who have stock can ask for a difference of up to 30 thousand TL for those who want to buy immediately.”
Muğla is the city where motorcycles are used the most in Turkey (Source: MOTED)
‘THE DEMAND OF 10% OF THOSE IN THE LINE IS MET’
Remzi Öztürk from MOTED also says on this topic: “Maybe 10 percent of the demand in the queue will be met”:
“However, this is true for international brands; there is no such order for domestic products.”
200 PERCENT INCREASE IN ONE YEAR
Er Temel also claims that fuel and car prices are effective in the latest sales boom.
Erkaynak stated that prices have increased significantly after demand increased exponentially in the last year:
“Compared to last year, there were price increases ranging from 80 to 200 percent.
Motorcycles in the low segment cost between 68 and 70 thousand lira. The price of the motorcycles most in demand by citizens starts at approximately 130 thousand TL. Those that are in demand in the middle segment start from 150,000 Turkish lira and go up to 250,000-300,000 Turkish lira.”
4.6 million of motor vehicles in circulation are motorcycles (Source: TURKSTAT)
THOSE WHO SELL ABOVE THE LIST PRICE WILL GO TO THE MINISTRY
Er Temel also stated that they will send an information note to the Ministry of Commerce regarding motorcycle advertisements that try to sell above the list price.
In this context, the IMES will request that similar practices implemented by the Ministry to avoid exorbitant price increases in the automotive industry be implemented for the sale of motorcycles.