“Motorcycles: European Market Briefs 2013-2014”. - Export.gov

35 U.S. Commercial Service Resource Guide for the European Motorcycle Industry
HUNGARY
Capital: Budapest
Population: 9.9
million
GDP: $210 billion
Currency: Hungarian
Forint (HUF)
Language: Hungarian
Contact:
U.S Commercial Service Budapest
Ms. Csilla Virágos
Commercial Specialist
Tel. +36-1-475-4250
Fax: +36-1-475-4676
Csilla.Viragos@trade.gov
export.gov/hungary
SUMMARY
In 2012, close to 145,000 motorcycles were registered in Hungary. The majority of
registered motorbikes and scooters are in the category below 50 cm3. The average age of
the motorbikes is 18-25 years. Motorbike sales in Hungary have still been on decline since
2008. In 2012 only 2,519 new motorbikes were sold, the Hungarian Vehicle Importers
Association (AHAI) forecast total sales of 2,630 new motorcycles for 2013. Scooters or
mopeds (50 cm³ or below) without license plates have been more popular recently, as they
are not subject to local vehicle taxes such as weight tax or registration tax. There are still a
lot of former Central-Easter European brands in use such as JAWA, Simson and Pannonia
and they still represent favorite brands in less urban areas in Hungary.
In March 2012, only 250 new motorcycles were sold compared to 315 sold in April 2011. In
2012 a total of 9,754 new and used motorbikes were registered. The peak years for
motorcycles sales were 2004 through 2006 when more than 18,000 motorcycles and
scooters were sold annually. Motorcycle sales show somehow similar trends as passenger
car sales: the vast majority of new motorcycle registrations take place in the first half of the
year due to the seasonal nature of consumer demand in this sector.
According to the Association of Hungarian Automotive Industry (AHAI), the registration tax
levied on automobiles and motorbikes introduced in January 2007 had a significant
negative impact on motorcycle sales figures. Until the introduction of this tax, motorbikes
over 250 cm³ were popular, but since the introduction of the tax, demand for 50 to 125 cm³
vehicles increased. For large engine motorbikes, the registration tax can be around 25-30
percent of the retail price of the vehicle.
Presently, there is no domestic production of motorbikes in Hungary. EU motorcycle safety
and emission standards have been introduced in Hungary, including mandatory advanced
braking systems on new motorcycles and automatic headlamp-on switching for all “Lcategory”
vehicles. This category covers a wide range of vehicles such as two- or threewheel
powered cycles, mopeds, motorcycles with and without a side-car, tricycles, on-road
quads and mini-cars. The proposal sets ambitious emission requirements for these
vehicles.