New ATV rules that require roll-over protection came into effect from January this year, so last year was the last time buyers – predominantly farmers and rural workers – could buy an ATV without the bars.<\/span><\/p>\n It also marked many manufacturers abandoning that segment of the market and withdrawing their ATVs from Australia.<\/span><\/p>\n ATV sales were higher than average last year as buyers purchased the four-wheelers before the legislation came into force. In combination with heavy rainfall in 2021, last year’s motorcycle figures were inflated with the first quarter of 2022 showing sales of agriculture-focused bikes return to normal.<\/span><\/p>\n The managing director of listed company Motorcycle Holdings Ltd, David Ahmet, told GoAutoNews Premium that the industry is still dealing with the fallout of COVID-19.<\/span><\/p>\n He said a lot of businesses struggled in January when the latest version of the virus took hold and, in his company’s case alone, up to a third of the staff were off at any given time during January and it appeared as if a similar percentage of customers stayed home.<\/span><\/p>\n He said that February and March bounced back and his company’s business for March was stronger than 2021.<\/span><\/p>\n Further upsetting this first quarter were the huge floods in NSW and Queensland.<\/span><\/p>\n Mr Ahmet said this had a profound impact on a lot of businesses.<\/span><\/p>\n “We had five dealerships flooded and, obviously, it’s hard to sell motorcycles when you have a meter and a half of muddy water in your dealership for five days,” he said.<\/span><\/p>\n “I know the whole of Australia didn’t flood but we did have water lapping at our doors in Sydney as well, so it was widespread.”<\/span><\/p>\n Mr Ahmet said it will still be some time before supply is back to normal. <\/span><\/p>\n
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