WASHINGTON, D.C. (BRAIN)—Imports through September are not only up strongly over last year, they are higher than anytime over the past six years. Suppliers swung 15.46 million bikes over the pier so far, an increase of 3.8 million units over last year.
Chinese exporters shipped 3.8 million more units and are clearly responsible for the overall increase. Most of their gains were in kid’s categories, but they found success across all categories. Taiwanese exporters were down 3 percent, a loss of 15,780 units.
Increasing imports of kid’s bikes is what is driving the good year, and the average kid’s bike price is rising. Imports of all kid’s categories are up 37 percent, an increase of 2.7 million units. The largest gains came in the 24-inch category, up 60 percent to 4.4 million units.
Adult categories, 700c and mountain bikes are up 25 percent for a gain of one million units over last year, but the average unit value is down 7 percent. Taiwanese builders used to find success in adult categories, however, they are down 34,960 units, a drop of 7 percent.
—Matt Wiebe
mwiebe@bicycleretailer.com
