The Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries (FCAI) has released its motorcycle and off-highway vehicle (OHV) sales data for the first quarter of 2025, reporting a modest market softening across all segments amid ongoing economic pressure.
Between January and March, a total of 19,206 units were sold across the four key vehicle categories. This marks a 3.5% decline from the same period in 2024, underscoring the broader theme of consumer caution that continues to shape vehicle purchase behaviour in Australia.
As always, it’s important to note that these figures reflect only the portion of the market reported by FCAI-affiliated brands. With several major importers and distributors choosing not to share their data, the actual number of motorcycles and OHVs sold in Australia is likely to be significantly higher.
Segment Overview
Road Motorcycles
Road motorcycles saw 8,073 units sold for the quarter, representing a 1.8% decline year-on-year. This mild dip is consistent with recent trends, with buyers becoming increasingly selective in an environment where higher interest rates and household costs continue to weigh on discretionary purchases.
Off-Road Motorcycles
The off-road category recorded 6,897 units, down 5.0% from Q1 2024. While still making up a large portion of the overall market, this result suggests a cooling in demand following a prolonged period of strength throughout 2023 and early 2024.
Off-Highway Vehicles (OHVs)
The OHV segment, which includes utility-focused vehicles commonly used in agriculture and land management, saw a slight 2.3% decrease to 2,909 units. The result reflects a cautious approach to higher-ticket equipment purchases in the current climate.
Scooters
Scooter sales saw the steepest decline of all categories, falling 8.5% to 1,327 units. This comes after several strong quarters where scooters gained traction as an affordable commuting option. However, it appears that urban mobility trends have softened slightly in the face of continued cost-of-living pressures and hybrid work routines.
Market Commentary
FCAI Chief Executive Tony Weber acknowledged the economic backdrop influencing consumer behaviour, noting:
“Motorcycles are often a discretionary purchase, and in the current environment of high living costs and interest rates, many Australians are understandably more cautious with their spending.”
Weber also remained optimistic about future market performance, saying:
“While there is a slight softening across all categories in the wake of current economic conditions, we expect to see enthusiasm among Australian riders return as conditions stabilise and maybe ease.”
Yamaha was the top-selling brand for the quarter, followed by Honda, Kawasaki and KTM, continuing a consistent pattern in brand leadership.
Market Holding Steady in Challenging Conditions
While down slightly, the Q1 2025 results show a resilient motorcycle market holding steady under pressure. All major segments saw relatively modest declines, and interest remains high across both road and off-road categories.
The sharp drop in scooter sales may signal a temporary retreat in urban commuter demand, but core recreational and utility segments continue to account for the bulk of sales.
As always, these early-year numbers set the tone for the months ahead. With new models arriving throughout 2025 and the possibility of improved economic sentiment post-election, industry stakeholders will be watching closely to see how the market responds in Q2.
Trust Retain Media for Industry-Leading Insights
The first quarter of 2025 has shown that even amid a challenging economic environment, motorcycle and OHV sales remain relatively stable. At Retain Media, we’ll continue to track market trends across the automotive and powersports industries, providing timely updates as new data is released.
In the meantime, be sure to explore our latest market reports for insights into Australia’s caravan, truck, and tractor markets.
Retain Media provides this data “as is” for informational purposes only and accepts no liability for decisions made based on this reporting. Users are encouraged to use this data as one of multiple data points in their market analysis.
