Asian (excluding Japanese) motorcycle demand in 2011 grew 4.8%, to 45,529 thousand units, as the benefits
of generally stable economic growth more than offset the negative effects of slower growth in China stemming
from the European economic crisis, and damage from the flooding in Thailand.
Although Yamaha Motor’s 2011 sales declined in Indonesia, Thailand and China from the effects of the flooding in Thailand, growth in Vietnam and India held the overall decline in volume to 0.4%, to 6,059 thousand
units, while net sales declined 2.5%, to ¥594.1 billion.
Total demand in 2012 is expected to rise 7.1%, to 48,756 thousand units, against a backdrop of stable economic growth and insufficient social infrastructure.
Yamaha Motor will aggressively introduce new models and work to increase sales, both quantitatively and qualitatively, and we are forecasting an 18.8% increase in unit sales, to 7,197 thousand units.
Total motorcycle demand in Indonesia grew 10.6% in 2011, to 8,001 thousand units, reflecting an environment of stable economic growth, the region’s population demographic and underdeveloped transportation infrastructure.
Total 2011 motorcycle demand in the Thai market grew 8.7% from the previous year, to 2,007 thousand units, as a strong economy boosted by solid exports absorbed the economic damage caused by the flooding.
Growth in the Vietnamese market in 2011 was weakened by the government’s anti-inflation policies, but nevertheless total motorcycle demand grew 16.0% from the previous year, to 3,562 thousand units.
The Indian market experienced an economic slowdown in 2011, but solid retail consumption continued to increase amid rising interest rates and inflation. As a result, total demand for motorcycles grew 16.0%, to 13,078 thousand units.
Frankly, I think Yamaha marketing may very well have been overstating the case. I'm still looking at 2012. Overall global growth in 2011 and 2012 dropped, whereas in 2013 it picked up, but there were far more important economic factors than whether or not Valentino Rossi was on the 2nd Yamaha M1. Euro Zone crisis was in full swing during that period.
