Peugeot Motocycles (PMTC), like all manufacturers of motorized two-wheelers, is going through a unique period. While the health crisis linked to Covid-19 has stimulated sales of scooters – a phenomenon undoubtedly attributable to a mistrust of public transport -, dealers are having the worst difficulties in filling orders. In addition to the disorganization of factories caused by the pandemic, we must contend with the global shortage of microprocessors.
Peugeot Motocycles, wholly owned by the Indian Mahindra since 2019, must also suffer the consequences of the immobilization by the Egyptian authorities of the cargo ship whose grounding, at the end of March, had blocked the Suez Canal for nearly a week. In the hold of the “Ever Given”, nearly 700 scooters of the brand produced in China are still waiting to reach Europe.
However, despite supply concerns, the Mandeure plant in the Doubs was able to resume its activity. Technical unemployment measures have ceased to apply since April and the production of the Pulsion (125 cm3) benefited from the strong growth of the medium-displacement scooter market, up 16% in Europe and 20% in France in the first quarter of 2021.
Willingness to move upmarket
Cradle of the Peugeot company, which belongs to the Stellantis group, this factory founded in 1898 and employing 300 employees – against 1,500 thirty years ago – can also count on the production of the new SW and GT versions (from 8,999 euros ) of the Metropolis three-wheeler. This scooter, which accounts for 20% of sales in this segment dominated by the Italian Piaggio (France alone weighs half of three-wheeler registrations in Europe), shows a desire to move upmarket.
Peugeot Motocycles benefits from the sudden revival of sales of 50 cm scooters3, a category previously preempted by young people
Located on the fringes of biker culture, the Metropolis is aimed at a clientele coming from the automobile and looking for a means of transport in urban areas. A specificity that PMTC cultivates by taking care of its proximity, in particular in terms of style, with the car manufacturer Peugeot, bound by a license agreement and which retains the right to inspect the products.
Peugeot Motocycles also benefits from the sudden revival of sales of 50 cm scooters3, a category once preempted by young people and which had almost disappeared. This is taking off again (+ 45% in France in the first quarter of 2021) with the arrival of older consumers looking for a cheap means of transport. A boon that the brand intends to exploit thanks to its partnerships negotiated with Chinese and Vietnamese companies which manufacture these very popular machines in Asia.
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