Credit and income should boost the expansion of motorcycle sales in 2018

The gradual recovery of the supply of credit and the prospect of improvement of Brazilian income must make the motorcycle sales in 2018 are positive for the first time in six years.
In the evaluation of the President of the Brazilian Association of manufacturers of motorcycles, Mopeds, Scooters, and Bicycles (Abraciclo), Marcos Fermanian, the "shyness" that the financial industry had in the granting of credit is falling behind, so that the sale funded motorcycles is growing. "The level of approval of funding has not changed, but we see more ' will ' by banks. This is not a given, but the change was felt in the industry. "
For 2018, Abraciclo projects that retail sales reach 865,000 units, against 847,000 which must be marketed this year, which represents an improvement of 2.1%. About 2016, estimates a 5.9% indentation of plates issued to motorcycles.
In wholesale, the volume of motorcycles sold must add 813,000 units in 2017, against 858,000 last year. For 2018, the entity expects sales to reach 850,000 motorcycle dealerships.
Fermanian explains that the more modest than other sectors of industry, such as four wheels, reflects peculiarities of the average consumer of motorcycles. "The reality of our segment is distinct from the automotive sector. Our main target audience, who are consumers of classes C, D and e, is more exposed to problems such as unemployment. The income of these people is taken by basic services, so there is less possibility to save or commit resources with a purchase to the term, "highlights the leader.
According to automotive Consulting Trends analyst, John Matthews, if it were only for the credit channel, bikes should be warmer, but the mismatch between the resumption of economy and employment advancement becomes an obstacle to growth. "The improvement of the macroeconomic fundamentals have been least noticeable in lower classes", points out the specialist.
Another point that impacts the industry's regional distribution. Matthews reminds us that it is in the Northeast which is concentrated the bulk of consumers of motorbikes in the country, which weighed on this year's numbers, since the region has recovered more slowly than the rest of Brazil. According to data from Abraciclo, the Northeast reported 11.1% drop in sales in the year.
The production, however, presents breakthrough in 2017. The projection is that it will be 890,000 units produced this year, against 887,700 in 2016, up 0.3%. It is expected that in 2018 are manufactured 935,000 units, which would represent an increase of 5.1% over the expected growth for closing this year.
Featured also for exports, which should reach 83000 units this year, up 40.6% about 2016.
According to Marcos Fermanian, in 2018 the thread that should grow is the scooters, smaller bikes with a low fuel consumption. This year, the Brazilian market reported record sales of this type of vehicle, reaching 53200 units marketed by November.
According to Abraciclo, the last category was record in 2014, when were sold 42400 scooters.
Bicycles
In November, were produced 77200 bikes in Manaus Industrial Pole (PIM), a 2.9 percent advance on the registered units in the same period 68800 in the previous year. The expectation is that the year end with 675,000 production bikes. To 2018, the projection is 735,800 units produced, up 9% over this year.
The Vice President of Abraciclo bikes segment, John Ranel, projected that investment in the sector over the next three years should reach R $68 million.