FIM helps industry with regulation on COVID

In response to the pandemic, the institutions of the European Union have this week passed a regulation which means motorcycle manufacturers will have more flexibility to sell their older stock ahead of a change of regulation due at the end of this year. The European industry association, ACEM, along with FIM President Jorge Viegas, met with EU Commissioner Breton earlier in the year to explain why more flexibility will be needed.

The industry was on course to manage the long-anticipated change between the Euro 4 and Euro 5 emissions regimes, but the pandemic meant that motorcycle dealers across the EU were closed and vehicles expected to be sold this year ahead of the changeover could not be. This emergency regulation, agreed this week by the European Parliament and the Council of the European Union, means that manufacturers will have longer to register vehicles they had already manufactured but that could not be sold this year.

The Euro 5 changeover, due for 1st of January 2021 will still occur and will mean that motorcycles and mopeds manufactured after this date for sale in the EU will meet better environmental standards. However, vehicles already manufactured will still be able to be sold, particularly the more than half a million vehicles manufactured and in stock before 15th March 2020 when countries began entering national lockdowns.

Commenting on the situation, ACEM President Stefan Pierer said: “After months of intense work with the European Commission, ACEM welcomes this positive outcome.  Whilst in the meantime the market partially bounced back, extra-ordinary end of series arrangements provide the needed “safety net” to manufacturers facing difficulties, preventing unnecessary scrapping of Euro 4 vehicles and safeguarding the business and jobs. I wish to highlight the excellent coordination within the motorcycle sector, and the support provided by FIM.”

Expressing his optimism for the future, FIM President Jorge Viegas said: “We are satisfied that the institutions of the European Union have heard the pleas of both the industry and motorcyclists and that a solution has been provided for a unique situation. The Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic has had a terrible toll on both our health and our businesses and we are pleased to assist in any way we can do to improve a bad situation.

“The FIM thanks all those involved and looks forward to a resurgent European motorcycle sector.”

FIM Communications