Conclusive evidence that Germany's success in protecting its population from the coronavirus pandemic has translated into also protecting the German economy comes in the form of the latest data from the IVM, the motorcycle industry trade association in Germany.
New registrations for May are up by +6.33% at 14,524 units for the month and are now 'only' down -10.75% YTD at 56,867 units.
The registration statistics in Germany for 2020 so far have been remarkable compared to Europe's other 'Big Five'. Having been +37.14% (4,446 units) in January and -3.98% in February (9,252 units), motorcycle registrations were -18.70% in March (16,581 units) and
-28.14% (14,524 units) in April, but have now started to recover spectacularly - suggesting that, so far, the demand hasn't gone away and that consumers will buy when they judge the moment is right.
Indeed, in total PTW terms, it looks very much like the theory that the urban mobility and isolation messages that PTWs have in their favour are being taken up by commuters.
Total PTW registrations in May in Germany were +23.39% at 24,433 units of all kinds for the month and are now running at just -2.97% (85,151 units) for the YTD.
In market share terms, BMW remains 'Top Dog' in its home market with a 24.39% share YTD (13,868 units sold and six models in the top 20), followed by Kawasaki, Honda, KTM and Yamaha, with Harley-Davidson in 6th spot, having sold 4,798 units in Germany for an 8.44% market share.
The top selling model was BMW's R 1250 GS (4,783 units YTD), followed by the Kawasaki Z900, Z650, Yamaha MT-07 and KTM 790 Duke and 690 SMC. Harley's top-seller was the Street Bob (19th with 629 units sold), followed by the Sport Glide, XL 1200 X and the Street Glide Special.
Last year saw the German motorcycle market grow by +4.38% to 113,039 units, with total PTW sales growing by +6.53% to 165,311 units.