UK: Despite Crisis, Royal Enfield Outsells |
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File under Statistics Royal Enfield
Author: Mike Werner
Location: Normandy, France
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You might not think there was an economical and financial crisis out there when you see the sales figures of Royal Enfield in the UK. Royal Enfield used to be manufactured in the UK, but was purchased and transferred to India where it continued operating under its original name.
Their prime motorcycle, the Bullet 500 has been unchanged since its conception, over 50 years ago, a world record (you'd think they will have recovered the design cost by now...).
In the UK, Royal Enfield have had a 30% increase last year! Let that number sink in.... in a time that companies are downsizing or going bust altogether, reporting drop in sales, Royal Enfield reports 30% more motorcycles sold during 2008. Last year, the UK saw a sharp fall in motorcycle registration of 3.4%.
Why would this classic motorcycle manufacturer suddenly sell like hot croissants...???... This is because of very strict CO2 emission regulations coming into play after 2008. The Euro 3 emissions regulate the CO2 (and a few other things) coming from the motorcycle exhaust, and many people flocked to Royal Enfield in a last ditch effort to purchase a motorcycle that was still "classic", before new technology would take over during 2009.
The 2009 specs call for a new 500c, fuel injected engine, with more power and torque, and less CO2, but also less "classic British bike" feel. Hence the record sales.
Now we need to see what the figures are for 2009....
Good on Royal Enfield to sell that well...
Via: London Bikers
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