Flex-fuel motorcycles capture 14% of Brazilian market in less than two years.

Flex-fuel motorcycles have been gaining steadily in the Brazilian market since they were first launched in 2009, and now account for 14% of overall motorcycle sales in the country. Data from the Brazilian Association of Manufacturers of Motorcycles, Mopeds and Bicycles (Abraciclo), compiled by the Brazilian Sugarcane Industry Association (UNICA), shows that at the end of June 2010, 165,221 flex motorcycles were registered in Brazil. Comparing the sales performance of flex cycles with that of automobiles, UNICA Emissions and Technology Consultant Alfred Szwarc points out that over the same number of months, flex cars only represented 9.2% of sales after they were introduced in 2003. "The data clearly shows that the potential market for flex motorcycles is excellent," he concludes. Brazil was the first country in the world where flex-fuel motorcycles were offered to consumers. The first model, the CG 150 Titan Mix, was launched in March of 2009, followed by the NXR 150 Bros Mix introduced in September of 2009, both manufactured by Honda. Seven Million The increase in sales of flex models, coupled with the projected growth in market share for flex motorcycles in Brazil, has led to a positive outlook for the next decade. According to Szwarc, in the best possible scenario, Brazil could have up to seven million flex models on the road by 2020. To reach that conclusion, Szwarc considered estimates released in July by Abraciclo, showing that annual motorcycle sales in Brazil would increase from 1.6 million to 8 million by 2020. The increase would be feasible if the introduction of flex motorcycles mirrored that of flex cars in the Brazilian automobile market, which now represent 90% of new vehicles sold. "The willingness of other manufacturers to adopt flex-fuel technology will be a determining factor for the potential sales growth of alternative fuel vehicles," states Szwarc. Currently, Brazil is the only country in the world where flex motorcycles are manufactured, and the Brazilian subsidiary of Honda is the only manufacturer producing models capable of utilizing gasoline or ethanol in any proportion.

30/09/10 Fonte: UNICA - Brazil