Global motorcycle industry in growing in double-digit. In the Q1 2026 sales have been 16.8 million (+11.0%) the highest quarter ever. Growth is increasingly driven by India, Latin America and ASEAN, where rising incomes and urbanization continue to fuel demand for affordable mobility.
McD tracks new vehicles registrations across the World (97+ countries), reporting data on calendar year. When you wish to compare data reported by us to those declared by the manufacturers, consider they usually report their “sales” (vehicles invoiced), which are usually different from “registrations”, accordingly with their fiscal year split.
Global Motorcycles Industry Outlook
Despite a highly uncertain global economic environment, the motorcycle industry continues to expand at a solid pace. After four consecutive years of growth, ended with the new record established in 2025, the first quarter 2026 started with a double-digit growth.
Indeed, Q1 2026 global 2-wheeler sales have been 16.8 million (+11.0%) the highest quarter ever, confirming the structural strength of demand for affordable individual mobility.
The primary growth driver remains emerging markets, particularly India, Latin America and ASEAN, where rising GDP, low per-capita income levels, rapid urbanization and a young population are sustaining strong demand for two-wheelers.
India continues to lead the global expansion. Following the remarkable +3.6% surge recorded in 2025, the market grew a further 27.1% in Q1 2026, reinforcing its position as the largest motorcycle market in the world, and the new government project (under approval) could further boost the industry, accelerating the electrification process.
The fastest-growing region remains Latin America, where the market expanded by an impressive 19.1%, supported by strong momentum across nearly all countries.
The ASEAN region also posted a positive performance, with sales rising 5.2%, and sixth out of nine markets reporting growth.
In North America, overall sales increased 0.9%, largely thanks to Mexico (+1.2%), while economic policy changes in the United States are already impacting demand, with sales declining 1.0% in the U.S. and 3.9% in Canada.
Western Europe (including the UK) experienced a recovery after the sharp contraction reported last year, with registrations increased 7.4%.
In Eastern Europe, sales increased 3.0%, largely reflecting the new stability following the end of the extraordinary boom in Turkey, which had previously driven regional growth.
Across the rest of Asia, the market remained broadly flat or declining:
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China: -6.4%
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Taiwan: -4.8%
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Japan: -12.1%
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South Korea: -3.9%
