Motorcycle Industry: 24 Percent More Units Sold in the Past Four Years Than in the Entire Preceding Decade

IRVINE, Calif.--Nov. 18, 2004--According to Motorcycle Industry Council estimates, year-to-date sales are up 4.4 percent through October 2004, marking the 12th consecutive year of growth for the United States motorcycle market.

Thanks to motorcycling's continuing popularity, 24 percent more units have been sold in the last four years than in the entire preceding decade (1990-1999).

"Our industry's 12-year growth cycle is nothing short of spectacular," said MIC President Tim Buche. "Motorcycling today is more mainstream than ever -- and the numbers prove it. The new MIC Owner Survey shows that since 1998, there has been a 34 percent increase in the number of motorcycles in use in the United States. Motorcycles are everywhere -- in advertising, editorial layouts, movies, television -- they're an iconic representation of freedom and individualism in our American culture."

In 2003, strong demand generated new unit motorcycle sales of more than 996,000 units, up from 936,000 in 2002. If the current growth rate continues, MIC estimates that new unit sales for motorcycles could top 1 million units by year-end 2004.

ATV Sales Mirror Upward Growth Trend

New unit ATV sales are up .5 percent through October compared to the same period in 2003, marking the 13th straight year of growth for these modern workhorses and popular recreational products. In 2003, new unit ATV sales climbed to an estimated 886,000, an increase of 3.9 percent over 2002. Many of the MIC-member manufacturers of motorcycles also distribute ATVs to the same dealerships nationwide. Estimated combined motorcycle and ATV sales for 2003 reached 1,882,000 units, an all time record, up 4.2 percent over 2002.

When estimated ATV unit sales to date for this decade (Jan. 2000 - Oct. 20, 200404) are compared with the previous, we find another astounding statistic: new unit sales of ATVs have already increased 34 percent over the entire 1990-1999 decade.

About MIC

The Motorcycle Industry Council (MIC) is a not-for-profit, national trade association representing manufacturers and distributors of motorcycles, scooters, motorcycle/ATV parts and accessories and members of allied trades, located in Irvine.