Motorcycle and Scooter Export in China Declines Dramatically to $352M in February 2023

China Motorcycle And Scooter Exports

In February 2023, exports of motorcycles and scooters from China contracted markedly to 516K units, falling by -30.6% on the month before. Over the period under review, exports saw a mild slump. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in March 2022 when exports increased by 19% m-o-m. The exports peaked at 963K units in July 2022; however, from August 2022 to February 2023, the exports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, motorcycle and scooter exports shrank significantly to $352M (IndexBox estimates) in February 2023. In general, exports recorded a slight decline. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in March 2022 when exports increased by 23% m-o-m. The exports peaked at 647M units in July 2022; however, from August 2022 to February 2023, the exports failed to regain momentum.

Exports by Country

The Philippines (45K units), Mexico (33K units) and Togo (31K units) were the main destinations of motorcycle and scooter exports from China, with a combined 21% share of total exports. Colombia, Argentina, Ghana, Venezuela, Nigeria, Peru, Iran, Cameroon, Myanmar and Guatemala lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 30%.

From February 2022 to February 2023, the biggest increases were in Iran (with a CAGR of +14.6%), while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest markets for motorcycle and scooter exported from China were the Philippines ($25M), Mexico ($23M) and Colombia ($20M), with a combined 19% share of total exports. Togo, Argentina, Peru, Ghana, Iran, Guatemala, Venezuela, Nigeria, Cameroon and Myanmar lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 26%.

Iran, with a CAGR of +9.6%, saw the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of exports, in terms of the main countries of destination over the period under review, while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Exports 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 (501K units) was the largest type of motorcycle and scooter exported from China, accounting for a 97% share of total exports. It was followed 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 (12K units), with a 2.2% share of total exports. The third position in this ranking was held by motorcycles (including mopeds) and cycles; fitted with auxiliary motor, reciprocating internal combustion piston engine of cylinder capacity exceeding 500cc but not exceeding 800cc, with or without sidecars; side-cars (3.2K units), with a 0.6% share.

From February 2022 to February 2023, the average monthly growth rate of the volume of export of 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 totaled -1.6%. With regard to the other exported products, the following average monthly rates of growth were recorded: 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 (+1.7% per month) and motorcycles (including mopeds) and cycles; fitted with auxiliary motor, reciprocating internal combustion piston engine of cylinder capacity exceeding 500cc but not exceeding 800cc, with or without sidecars; side-cars (-3.0% per month).

In value terms, 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 ($309M) remains the largest type of motorcycle and scooter exported from China, comprising 88% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was held 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 ($27M), with a 7.7% share of total exports. It was followed by motorcycles (including mopeds) and cycles; fitted with auxiliary motor, reciprocating internal combustion piston engine of cylinder capacity exceeding 500cc but not exceeding 800cc, with or without sidecars; side-cars, with a 4.3% share.

From February 2022 to February 2023, the average monthly growth rate of the export volume of 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 totaled -1.9%. With regard to the other exported products, the following average monthly rates of growth were recorded: 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 (+1.5% per month) and motorcycles (including mopeds) and cycles; fitted with auxiliary motor, reciprocating internal combustion piston engine of cylinder capacity exceeding 500cc but not exceeding 800cc, with or without sidecars; side-cars (-1.5% per month).

Export Prices by Country

In February 2023, the motorcycle and scooter price stood at $682 per unit (FOB, China), picking up by 2.3% against the previous month. Overall, the export price, however, continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The growth pace was the most rapid in December 2022 when the average export price increased by 4.6% m-o-m. The export price peaked at $714 per unit in March 2022; however, from April 2022 to February 2023, the export prices remained at a lower figure.

There were significant differences in the average prices for the major foreign markets. In February 2023, the country with the highest price was Colombia ($807 per unit), while the average price for exports to Myanmar ($460 per unit) was amongst the lowest.

From February 2022 to February 2023, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was recorded for supplies to Mexico (+1.8%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Market Intelligence Platform