German bike sales slowing
Posted on in Cycles News
As reported in Bicycle Retailer, the first half of 2016 proved to be challenging for the German bike market, according to the latest figures from the country's bike industry association.
Zweirad-Industrie-Verband (ZIV), which presented the numbers during a discussion panel that kicked off Eurobike Tuesday morning, noted that bike production through the first six months of the year dipped compared to last year, with an estimated 1.6 million units produced.
Sales of bicycles and e-bikes declined 5 to 8 percent, ZIV reported. Some 2.7 million units were sold from January to June, and e-bikes once again increased their share of the overall market. "Consumers were not in any in any real mood for bikes up until June," the association said.
Imports of bicycles and e-bikes to Germany declined 1.4 percent and e-bikes accounted for a larger share of total imports, at 19 percent of total imports.
Meanwhile, exports of bicycles and e-bikes fell 6.8 percent. E-bikes accounted for 21 percent of total exports. The association attributed the decline to poor weather in key export markets.
Despite poor weather in the first half, the association expects e-bike sales to grow 5 percent for the full year, forecasting sales to reach 560,000 units.
Mobility continues to be a driving force for sales in the market. And sporty e-bikes, including e-MTBs, are the silver lining in an otherwise down market.