Malaysia’s motorcycle market keeps momentum in 2026. The positive trend is expected to continue in 2026 and indeed, the first quarter results has been very promising, with sales surged 7.4%. supported by stronger-than-expected economic growth (~4.9% GDP).
Motorcycle Industry: Trends and Perspectives
Within this supportive macroeconomic backdrop, Malaysia’s two-wheeler market—the 13th largest globally—showed signs of recovery in 2025. Following a sharp 16% contraction in the previous year, the market rebounded with sales rising 15.5% to 685.670 units.
The positive trend is expected to continue in 2026 and indeed, the first quarter results has been very promising, with sales surged 7.4%.
Together with the overall growth, a closer look at the data highlights a notable shift in the electric segment. Although still marginal in absolute terms, electric two-wheeler sales surged by 61.6% last year and 34.4% in the last quarter, indicating growing consumer interest and the early stages of a structural transition, albeit from a low base.
Market Leaders and Competitive Dynamics
Competitive performance diverged significantly among leading players. Yamaha, the market leader, strengthened its position with sales up 5.7%, while its main rival Honda recovered 7.4%, following the last year 12.7 decline, reflecting increasing competitive pressure and portfolio challenges.
Among local manufacturers, Modenas ranked third surging a mere 3.6%, underscoring ongoing difficulties for domestic brands. By contrast, smaller players posted strong growth: SM Sport increased sales by 11.5%, SYM performed +16.3%, while Aveta recorded an exceptional +90.1%, albeit from a relatively small base.
Overall Assessment
Malaysia’s motorcycle market entered a stabilisation and early recovery phase in 2025, supported by stronger macroeconomic conditions and renewed momentum in the electric segment. However, uneven performance among manufacturers and the still-limited scale of EV adoption suggest that the recovery remains fragile and selective, with further consolidation and competitive reshuffling likely in the coming years.
