In motorcycle terms , registrations of motorcycles in the EU reached 520,846 units during Q2 2017 ( - 4.9 % compared to Q2 2016 ). Italy is currently the largest motorcycle market in Europe with 124,913 units registered in Q2 2017 (+ 6.6 % compared to the same quarter of the previous year ). Motorcycle registrations also increased in France ( 91,494 units , + 2.6 %), but decreased in Germany ( 88,322 units , -12.3 %), Spain ( 67,373 vehicles , -8.1 %) and the UK ( 53,549 units , -13.4 %).

Royal Enfield , which proudly claims to be the world ’ s oldest motorcycle brand in continuous production , has opened a third factory in India . Citing increasing demand for its mid-sized bikes and no doubt eying its entry into the 750cc class , it takes the company ’ s combined production capacity to 825,000 units a year . Royal Enfield is reported to have made over 667,000 motorcycles in its 2016 / 2017 financial year . The Indian firm ’ s U . S . operation is headed up at a Milwaukee , Wisconsin headquarters by ex-Harley man Rod Copes .

In 2016 there were 371,403 new motorcycles sold in the United States – less than half of the market of a decade earlier . Offroad and on-highway motorcycle sales have been largely flat since 2010 , with the modest growth in on-highway bike sales seen between 2012 and 2015 going into reverse . The percentage of riders aged 30 years or less has more than halved since 1990 , while those aged over 50 now account for nearly 50 percent of the market .

India has overtaken China as the world ’ s largest motorcycle market . Last year over 17.7 m motorcycles were sold in India – around 1 m more than in China , where the 16.8 m motorcycles sold was actually a decline of -11 percent . Motorcycle sales in China are said to have peaked at around 19 m units in 2009 – since then increasing numbers of Chinese cities have actually been banning motorcycle use , especially in city centres , in a ( mistaken ?) attempt to curb air pollution .

Net income $ 81,888 $ 32,312 $ 141,018 $ 150,367

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third quarter of 2017 was $ 10.4 million compared to $ 20.3 million in the third quarter of 2016 . Adjusted for the Victory Motorcycles wind-down costs of $ 7.6 million , motorcycle gross profit was $ 17.9 million , down from the third quarter last year due primarily to lower Slingshot volume . North American consumer retail demand for the Polaris motorcycle segment , including Indian Motorcycle and Slingshot , was up mid-single digits percent during the 2017 third quarter . Indian Motorcycles increased retail sales + 16 percent , partly driven by new model introductions , including the new Chieftain Elite and Limited models and Roadmaster Classic . Indian Motorcycle market share surpassed the ten percent mark in September . Motorcycle industry retail sales , 900cc and above , were down high-single digits percent in the 2017 third quarter . Slingshot ' s retail sales were down , although the rate of decline decelerated during the quarter . Off-Road Vehicle (“ ORV ”) and Snowmobile segment sales , including their respective PG & A related sales , were $ 1,007.4 million for the third quarter of 2017 , up + 12 percent over $ 895.6 million for the third quarter of the prior year , driven primarily by improved side-by-side shipments . ORV wholegood sales for the third quarter of 2017 increased + 13 percent , primarily driven by strong RZR shipments . Polaris North American ORV unit retail sales for the third quarter of 2017 were up midteens percent from the 2016 third quarter , with both side-by-side vehicles and ATVs up mid-teens percent . The North American ORV industry was up high-single digits percent compared to the third quarter last year . Snowmobile wholegood sales in the third quarter of 2017 increased + 20 percent to $ 144.2 million due to timing of shipments year-over-year , as the company manufactured and shipped its snowmobiles later in 2016 . Global Adjacent Markets segment sales , along with its PG & A related sales , increased + 17 percent to $ 91.6 million in the 2017 third quarter compared to $ 78.5 million in the 2016 third quarter . Work and Transportation group wholegood sales were up + 17 percent during the third quarter of 2017 primarily due to an increase in sales in the company ' s Aixam quadricycles and Goupil lightutility businesses . Aftermarket segment sales , which include Transamerican Auto Parts (" TAP "), along with the company ' s other aftermarket brands of Klim ,

THIRD QUARTER CONSOLIDATED SECTOR PERFORMANCE SUMMARY

Kolpin , Pro Armor , Trail Tech and 509 , increased significantly to $ 224.7 million in the 2017 third quarter compared to $ 29.9 million in the 2016 third quarter . TAP added $ 190.6 million of sales in the third quarter of 2017 . Parts , Garments and Accessories (“ PG & A ”) sales , excluding Aftermarket segment sales , increased seven percent for the 2017 third quarter . All segments and categories increased sales during the quarter . International sales to customers outside of North America , including PG & A , totaled $ 156.8 million for the third quarter of 2017 , up + 1 percent from the same period in 2016 . Sales in EMEA and Asia Pacific increased low-double digits percent in the third quarter , with Latin America growing sales mid-single digits during the quarter . Third quarter gross profit margin was 24.6 %, up 261 basis points over prior year . Adjusted gross profit margin was 25.5 %, up 351 basis points versus last year primarily due to positive product mix , increased VIP savings and lower warranty costs . During the third quarter of 2017 , the company repurchased and retired 257,000 shares of its common stock for $ 23.3 million . Year-to-date through September 30 , 2017 , the company has repurchased and retired 1,015,000 shares of its common stock for $ 88.9 million .

8 AMERICAN MOTORCYCLE DEALER - NOVEMBER 2017 www . AMDchampionship . com