How is the motorbike industry doing at the moment? That is the big question often heard at the 67th edition of the EICMA Motorbike show in Milan after the first day open to the public but before the expected crowds at the weekend, free entrance for women and longer hours (till 10pm) on Friday.
The first signs seem encouraging and not only for the enthusiasm perceptible in the halls where all the new models of motorbikes and accessories are on show. Statistics relating to the Italian market show that sales are holding off the worst of the recession. Sales have fallen 1.6% in the first nine months of 2009 but that is not worrying considering the difficult moment for the global economy. A fall of 18.7% in motorbike sales has been balanced by a 13.1% increase in scooter sales.
The prospects for the European market were discussed today at EICMA in a special seminar attended by international experts who study the commercial sector of the two-wheeled industry. Corrado Capelli of the ANCMA Italian industrialist association pointed out that “the global institutions and politicians have still to find answers and take serious action to safeguard the motorcycle sector, despite the use of economic incentives to boost sales. General rules are needed that all manufacturers have to accept.”
The future of the motorbike depends on the sector’s ability to take on board the ever-growing need to help the environment. The Green Planet area of the EICMA show is a clear message to motorbike users and the industry. It has been described as ‘a show within the show’, where companies can present products and proposals that help the planet. The exhibitors are pleased with the Green Planet idea and the impressive visitor numbers have confirmed that the public is keen to help save the environment.
As ever, the EICMA Milan show has something for everybody. From the spectacular stunt riding and racing in the MotoLive outdoor arena to the presence of Honda MotoGP pilots Dani Pedrosa and Andrea Dovizioso. After a difficult 2009, they are both looking forward to trying to take on rival Yamaha in 2010. The crowds at the EICMA show gave the two pilots a huge cheer, as they did for other sports stars and VIP visiting the show, such as Internazionale football player Marco Materazzi, starlet Valeria Marini and singer Gigi D’Alessio.