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It's bike mania in Europe
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October 25, 1996: 9:01 p.m. ET
Motorcycles pave the way in the UK with sales up 19 percent this year
From Correspondent Sissel McCarthy
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LONDON (CNNfn) - On the road again, European motorcycle sales are roaring ahead and most manufacturers are unable to keep up with demand. To some, a return to two wheels indicates the economy is back on track.(QuickTime Movie 886K)
The once defunct British icon is roaring back to life. Triumph Motorcycles has been on the road again for six years under new ownership, which bought the name and rights of its bankrupt predecessor.
The new Triumph plans to more than double the size of its factory.
"I think the biggest market for the long-term potential will be the Asian markets. Medium-term, the Americas obviously is an important market. But for this moment in time, a lot of growth is coming from the European markets," said Mark Fletcher, international sales manager for Triumph Motorcycles.
Triumph is part of an industry boom. BMW, Harley Davidson, and Ducati also are roaring ahead. In parts of Europe, they have sold more bikes so far this year than in all of 1995.
For one dealer, turnover has doubled.
"There's a lot more confidence in the economy now, and it's a good way of having a bit of fun, you know, and at the same time, it's getting to work quickly, isn't it?" said Andrew Hale, a partner at Metropolis.
Dealers say it is now affluent, middle-aged men, plus more and more women who are trading four wheels in for two.
"It's easy to get around in Europe on a two-wheeled vehicle. Also, it has fuel economy, which is so key in Europe. So I absolutely see this as a growing sport," said Jill Krutick, leisure analyst, Smith Barney.
With predictions of growing congestion on Europe's roads, and an expanding economy, manufacturers and dealers can expect an easy ride for years to come.
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Triumph homepage
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