Summary of Research Findings

Worldwide demand for motorbikes has been driven mainly by the Asian markets, especially in India, China, and ASEAN countries. Global number of motorbikes possessed is estimated to be 610 million units in 2019, of which 87.1 percent that is 530 million units is possessed in Asian countries. In addition, the Asian emerging nations such as Pakistan, Bangladesh, Cambodia, Laos, and Myanmar are likely to become the growth drivers hereafter.

The questionnaire was performed in the period from December 2020 to February 2021 to 2,383 men and women in their ages between 18 and 69 who use and possess a motorbike living in Asian countries, i.e. Japan India, China, Indonesia, Vietnam, Thailand, and the Philippines, about the use status of the motorbike (frequency of use, purchase reasons, intention of using an electric motorbike, strengths/weaknesses of electric motorbikes, changes in means of travel in the COVID-19 calamity, etc.)

When asked about the purchase reasons of a motorbike currently possessing, the responses differed by country. The largest number of responses in each of the following countries was “Easy and swift mobility” which accounted for 24.1 percent in Japan, 32.8 percent in China, 40.0 percent in Thailand, and 27.1 percent in the Philippines. One of other reasons was “Necessary for work,” which was the largest number of responses in Indonesia, accounting for 35.3 percent, and Vietnam 40.4 percent, as both countries had an issue of vulnerable public transportation infrastructure, making motorbikes necessary for commuting.

In the question asking about the changes in means of transportation caused by COVID-19 pandemic, “Motorbike” acquired the largest number of responses in six countries other than Japan. In perspectives to prevent infections, the response rates of “Public transportation” and “Car sharing or car rental” were relatively low, while “motorbike” covered the reduction of these rates.

Noteworthy Topics

Changing Intentions in Motorbike Users Caused by COVID-19 Calamity

Changes in social lifestyles to online and restriction on movement have become apparent during the reconstruction period of behavioral patterns caused by COVID-19 calamity.

As for “the means of transportation more frequently used than before COVID-19 pandemic,” the largest number of respondents chose “Motorbike” in all the surveyed countries except for Japan, indicating that motorbikes match the new social lives in the “With Corona” era.

Research Outline