Motorcycle industry may not meet sales target

The increase in crude oil prices this year has also affected the motorcycle industry.

According to Rolando Cruz, president of the Motorcycle Development Program Participant’s Association, Inc. (MDPPAI), the industry’s sales target this year of 570,000 units will not be attained.

Instead, Cruz admitted, the expected sales by yearend is only about 520,000 units.

However, the expected full year sales of 520,000 units this year would still be much higher than the 493,000 units sold last year.

The MDPPAI is comprised of six local motorcycle companies.

These are Honda, Yamaha, Kawasaki, Suzuki, Motorstar and MCX.

However, the MDPPAI account for only 80 percent to 85 percent of the market, while the remaining 15 percent is from sales of all other imported motorcycle brands.

Even though there are only six registered participants in the MDPPAI, Cruz revealed, there are actually 54 brands being sold in the Philippines.

The 15 percent market share of all other brands, Cruz pointed out, is already an improvement on the part of the local motorcycle industry.

Previously, Cruz said, Chinese models accounted for as much as 30 percent of the market.

However, the availability and importance of after sales service has turned the market preference for locally-assembled motorcycles, Cruz said.