ASEAN motorcycle sales soar

ASEAN motorcycle sales soar

BANGKOK (AFP): Motorcycle sales within Southeast Asia were up sharply year-on-year for the first seven months of 2000, industry sources said Monday.

"Powered by a 101.5 percent increase in Indonesia, ASEAN motorcycle sales continued their strong recovery ... recording a 54.3 percent increase" for the first seven months of 2000, said a statement by Honda Bangkok, which serves as ASEAN's compiler of motorcycle information.

Sales in Thailand were up 50.2 percent, Malaysia rose 6.5 percent and the Philippines grew 30.2 percent for the year to July.

Although Thailand remained the region's largest motorcycle market, with sales of 465,639 units in the first seven months, Indonesia had sales of 431,204 units. If rapid growth continues in Indonesia, it will overtake Thailand as Southeast Asia's top motorcycle market.

Honda remained the motorcycle market leader, with a 56.4 percent share in Southeast Asia, while Suzuki captured the second spot.