Reader Mike Greenwald sent me this very interesting map where the size of each country has been resized proportionally to the concentration of motorcycles and moped in each of them. So, the map takes in account ALL powered 2-wheelers. The latest available statistics estimate that, in average, there are 33 moped or motorcycles in the world per 1000 people or 3.3%. As you can see on this map, as a continent Asia has the largest concentration of 2-wheelers. As far as individual countries are concerned, Greece and Malaysia are leaders with 1 or more motorcycle or moped for 5 people. If you are craving for numbers and want to see all stats and sources, jump to WorldMapper.
Credit where credit is due: Wes Siler at the excellent Hell For Leather website spotted this.
I like that – your comment and the thought provoking map. Global 2-wheel economy indeed. I’ll have to study the map and words more.
This is “growth material”.
Thanks to Hunter and Siler from everybody here.
Chris
Real credit where credit is due goes this way,
I saw a reTweet from you and Hell for Leather got it from MC24 who in turn got it from ottonero.
All usage thus far has been under Creative Commons License and the © Copyright 2006 SASI Group (University of Sheffield) and Mark Newman (University of Michigan).
They further define that in their definition of noncommercial use.
Non-commercial definition
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Glad you cleared up the credit where credit is due thing.
Mike
Some years ago Cycle World magazine did an analysis and New Zealand had the most motorcycles per head of capita. I imagine this excluded mopeds but it was interesting how far down the US was at the time. It would be interesting to see the same analysis revisited today.
Per capita is one reference for sure but can be misleading except in an all encompassing totals numbers of units of all sizes as depicted in the map above;
As one relates to different markets in unit size specifically based on economic buying power the depiction above may be more of the reflection as the available/affordable mode, i.e, low cost transportation.
HD as the leading US market share holder in 650cc and above has influence outside the US but numbers are minimal in the big picture of overall units. As depicted in the chart below. One could prorate/weight their market potentials as they compare to same in respect to 650cc and larger only.
Which is also why they HD and all OEM’s are venturing into the emerging markets at the ground floor of the emerging markets buying power/consumtion curve.
International Sales
HD for instance;
Harley Davidson 650cc and up sales generates 70% of its sales in the United States, and 30% internationally. Europe accounts for about 50% of international sales. Canada accounts for about 15%, while Japan accounts for 13%. based on a 2008/2009 6 months sales chart that I tried to paste here but couldn’t but is charted based on the numbers stated
Honda for instance;
Honda as one of if not the largest of the major producers and as well as Suzuki, Yamaha, and Kawasaki especially/specifically when you look at smaller units and mopeds lends more to the world map showings then the 650cc and above market shares and totals as such is the definition/basis of the worldmap picture sizing.
Honda again for instance as excerpt referenced produces a range of motorcycles, consisting of sports (including trial and moto-cross racing), business and commuter models with engines ranging from 50 cubic centimeters to 1800 cubic centimeters in cylinder displacement. Honda’s motorcycles are produced at two sites in Japan, Hamamatsu and Kumamoto, as well as through subsidiaries in the United States, Mexico Italy, Spain, Brazil, Thailand, Vietnam, the Philippines and India.
In fiscal 2009, Honda sold 10.1 million motorcycle units, a 8.5% increase from fiscal 2007.[17] Despite this, for the year revenues increased 13.7% and operating income rose 50.4%.[18] These improvements were driven exclusively by growth in emerging markets, which account for about 90% of motorcycle sales, even as revenues and profits stagnating or decreasing in Europe, Japan, and North America.[19] This was especially true in Asia, where motorcycles are frequently a primary means of transportation. Honda’s interaction with Asian markets such as China and Indonesia is unique, as Honda has a local company produce and sell its motorcycle designs, in exchange for a payment for each motorcycle sold.[20]
The Motorcycle Business is crucial to the company’s future growth in emerging markets where many cannot afford cars.
The excerpt Honda reference above lends to the totals for sure but gives also insight to what the overall world economic picture for the future consumptions for product and the types of product is in the not so far off future. The pie and its portions are changing.