South Africa: Market for Motorcycles, Scooters and Side-Cars 2025

Market Size for Motorcycles, Scooters and Side-Cars in South Africa

The South African motorcycle, scooter and side-car market rose significantly to $X in 2022, picking up by X% against the previous year. Overall, consumption posted a resilient increase. Motorcycle, scooter and side-car consumption peaked in 2022 and is expected to retain growth in years to come.

Production of Motorcycles, Scooters and Side-Cars in South Africa

In value terms, motorcycle, scooter and side-car production reduced slightly to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. Overall, production posted a significant expansion. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 when the production volume increased by X% against the previous year. Motorcycle, scooter and side-car production peaked at $X in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2022, production failed to regain momentum.

Exports of Motorcycles, Scooters and Side-Cars

Exports from South Africa

In 2022, overseas shipments of motorcycles, scooters and side-cars increased by X% to X units, rising for the third year in a row after three years of decline. Overall, total exports indicated a modest expansion from 2012 to 2022: its volume increased at an average annual rate of X% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, exports increased by X% against 2019 indices. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2021 when exports increased by X% against the previous year. The exports peaked in 2022 and are expected to retain growth in years to come.

In value terms, motorcycle, scooter and side-car exports expanded sharply to $X in 2022. Over the period under review, exports, however, continue to indicate a mild descent. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 with an increase of X%. The exports peaked at $X in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2022, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Exports by Country

Madagascar (X units), Zambia (X units) and Swaziland (X units) were the main destinations of motorcycle, scooter and side-car exports from South Africa, together accounting for X% of total exports.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of shipments, amongst the main countries of destination, was attained by Swaziland (with a CAGR of X%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Zambia ($X), Madagascar ($X) and Namibia ($X) appeared to be the largest markets for motorcycle, scooter and side-car exported from South Africa worldwide, together accounting for X% of total exports. Swaziland, Malawi, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, Botswana, Angola and Mauritius lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further X%.

Among the main countries of destination, Swaziland, with a CAGR of X%, recorded the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of exports, over the period under review, while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Export Prices by Country

The average motorcycle, scooter and side-car export price stood at $X per unit in 2022, falling by X% against the previous year. Overall, the export price showed a pronounced curtailment. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2018 an increase of X% against the previous year. The export price peaked at $X per unit in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2022, the export prices failed to regain momentum.

Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Namibia ($X per unit), while the average price for exports to Tanzania ($X per unit) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was recorded for supplies to Namibia (X%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced mixed trend patterns.

Imports of Motorcycles, Scooters and Side-Cars

Imports into South Africa

In 2022, supplies from abroad of motorcycles, scooters and side-cars increased by X% to X units, rising for the fourth consecutive year after three years of decline. Overall, imports, however, recorded a pronounced slump. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2021 when imports increased by X%. Imports peaked at X units in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, imports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, motorcycle, scooter and side-car imports soared to $X in 2022. In general, imports, however, recorded a pronounced contraction. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2021 with an increase of X% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports attained the peak figure at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, imports remained at a lower figure.

Imports by Country

In 2022, China (X units) constituted the largest supplier of motorcycle, scooter and side-car to South Africa, with a X% share of total imports. Moreover, motorcycle, scooter and side-car imports from China exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest supplier, Taiwan (Chinese) (X units), more than tenfold. India (X units) ranked third in terms of total imports with a X% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of volume from China stood at X%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Taiwan (Chinese) (X% per year) and India (X% per year).

In value terms, the largest motorcycle, scooter and side-car suppliers to South Africa were China ($X), Germany ($X) and Austria ($X), with a combined X% share of total imports. Japan, Taiwan (Chinese) and India lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further X%.

Taiwan (Chinese), with a CAGR of X%, recorded the highest growth rate of the value of imports, in terms of the main suppliers over the period under review, while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Import Prices by Country

The average motorcycle, scooter and side-car import price stood at $X per unit in 2022, falling by X% against the previous year. Overall, the import price recorded a slight decrease. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2013 when the average import price increased by X%. Over the period under review, average import prices reached the maximum at $X per unit in 2017; however, from 2018 to 2022, import prices remained at a lower figure.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major supplying countries. In 2022, amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Germany ($X per unit), while the price for China ($X per unit) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Brazil (X%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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