I'm looking for US scooter sales statistics.  These should be the gas
powered 50cc to 250cc or larger variety (Vespa, Honda, Yamaha, etc). 
I'm looking for sales figures, prefereably by state for the past few
years.  I would like to NOT include general motorcycles (Harley
Davidison, etc) in these statistics.

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Request for Question Clarification by bobbie7-ga on 03 Oct 2003 09:20 PDT

Hello schrades-ga,

I found total scooter sales by unit for the U.S. for the years 1997,
1998, 1999, 2000, 2001 and 2002(estimate).

Sales figures by state are not freely available.

A retail sales report that can provide you with monthly U.S. and state
sales by brand for each model type and cc category (320 pages) costs
$360 per year. However you must be a member in order to access this
report. Membership fees start at $690 a year.

Let me know how to proceed.

Thanks,
Bobbie7

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Clarification of Question by schrades-ga on 03 Oct 2003 10:06 PDT

Thanks bobbie7.  Can you clarify on "sales by unit"?  What is the
unit?

The information you found looks to be what I need, I await your
response to the above question.

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Request for Question Clarification by bobbie7-ga on 03 Oct 2003 10:15 PDT

Schrades-ga,

What I mean to say by "sales by unit" is the total number of scooters
sold each in the United States.

Scooter sales in dollars is not available.

Thanks,
Bobbie7

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Clarification of Question by schrades-ga on 03 Oct 2003 10:35 PDT

Sounds good.  How do we proceed from here (1st time user).

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Request for Question Clarification by bobbie7-ga on 03 Oct 2003 10:38 PDT

Since it sounds good to you, I will now post my answer.

Hello again Schrades,


The results of my research are as follows:


Scooter sales are accelerating. Easy use, high gas prices cited as
reasons for rising popularity


“Mike Mount, a spokesman for the Motorcycle Industry Council in
Irvine, Calif., said motor scooter sales have increased rapidly the
past several years.”

“Here's a look at unit retail sales of motor scooters, based on
Motorcycle Industry Council retail sales report. As of Dec. 31, 2002
sales had increased 37.9 percent among brands that participate in the
Motorcycle Industry Council's Retail Sales Reporting system.”

YEAR    SALES
----    -----
1997    12,000 
1998    15,000 
1999    25,000 
2000    42,000 
2001    50,000 
2002    69,000 (estimated)   


The Cincinnati Enquirer: March 29, 2003
http://www.enquirer.com/editions/2003/03/29/biz_scooters29.html


As I mentioned in my clarification, sales figures by state are not
freely available. However, you will be able to purchase that
information from the Motorcycle Industry Council if you are a member
of their organization.
http://www.mic.org/_index.html


Here is the application form: 
  
By completing the following information, you will be applying for
membership in the Motorcycle Industry Council.
http://www.mic.org/content/howtobemember/appform.html


Here are the retail sales report options they offer:

Option A - Monthly U.S. Sales (No Charge) 
Monthly U.S. sales by brand for each model type and cc category. 

Option B - Option A Plus Annual State Sales  ($100 Per Year) 
Monthly U.S. sales (Option A) plus the annual states sales by brand
for each model type and cc category (320 pages).

Option C - Option A Plus Monthly State Sales ($360 Per Year) 
Monthly U.S. and state sales by brand for each model type and cc
category (320 pages).

Option C appears to be the report you require.

Motorcycle Industry Council
http://www.mic.org/content/howtobemember/appform.html



Additional information that may interest you:


The article “Scooters make strides in market“ by Craig W. Baggott of
The Hartford Courant provides some interesting demographics of scooter
owners.

“Look closer at the council's numbers and there's reason to think the
growth will continue. The mean age of purchasers, for example, is 38.2
years, and the median household income is $42,500.”

“Other breakdowns: 26 percent of owners are students, 22 percent are
females, and 22 percent of owners who work are in professional or
technical occupations.”
CJ Online
http://cjonline.com/stories/092902/pro_scooters.shtml


Another interesting article from USA Today:

“The number of scooter commuters also is growing because scooter
ownership is way up. Motor scooter sales nationwide grew to 50,000
last year from 25,000 in 1999, according to the Motorcycle Information
Council. That increase was fueled by the reintroduction to the U.S.
market of the Vespa and other Italian scooters. About 10,000 Vespas
have been sold in the United States since the brand returned in
January 2001.”
USA Today 
http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2002-12-19-scooters-usat_x.htm



Search Criteria:

Scooter market OR industry sales
U.S. motor scooter retail sales
U.S. “motor scooter” “retail sales”


I hope this information helps you in your research. If anything is
unclear with my answer, please ask for clarification.


Best Regards,
Bobbie7-ga

Exceptional Results.  Very Fast Response.  Thanks again.