Scooter sales accelerate

While car manufacturers are feeling the pinch of the global financial crisis, it seems scooters have picked up the slack.

A record number of the two-wheeled vehicles were sold last year, with 15,364 scooters sold, up 7.6% on 2007’s figures.

In total, 134,112 motorcycles, scooters and all-terrain vehicles were sold in 2008, an increase of 3.2% from 2007.

Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries chief executive Andrew McKellar says the figures indicate a move towards financially-friendly transportation.

“Many people, particularly those who live and work in busy cities, are being drawn to scooters in record numbers because of their obvious convenience and practicality,” he says.

“I think with the financial situation being the way that it is, it means that a second car is not that viable. Even though fuel prices have come down recently, that wasn’t the case a few months back.”