by David Chapman
Staff Writer
In terms of popularity, maybe motor scooters really are the new sport utility vehicle.
According to a survey conducted by the Motorcycle Industry Council, motor scooter sales across the country have been up 66 percent in the first half of 2008.
It’s a trend that local dealers are noticing as well.
“We’ve definitely had a doubling of sales since last year,” said Tom Bolc, owner of Vespa Jacksonville at the Beaches and Scooter Jax in San Marco. “I think it’s because of a few different reasons, too.”
Between the two stores, Bolc said sales should be around 500 units this year compared to around 225 in 2007. Gas price increases and environmental consciousness are two reasons he believes are behind the increase, but a shift in clientele has also had an effect.
“What I’ve seen over the years was that most sales used to be younger customers at the beach looking for a vehicle to cruise around on,” he said. “More and more we’re now seeing people coming in looking at scooters in terms of basic transportation. Instead of getting that second or third car, they’re looking at other options.”
Ken Watson of Jax City Scooters Downtown hasn’t seen much of an increase yet, but he believes the holiday season might yield more favorable results.
Watson said there was much interest when he opened the store in July and gas hovered around $4 a gallon during the summer. His clientele comes from surrounding areas like Riverside, San Marco and Springfield, but even with gas prices leveling off, the uncertain economy has meant fewer dollars for large purchases.
Even so, he said, motor scooters are viable transportation and money-saving investments.
“Economically speaking, they pay for themselves,” said Watson. “I think people are slowly coming around to the practicality of scooters.”
Sock Mild to Wild, a trike and motorcycle store in Ortega, has two motor scooter models and both have sold extremely well this year, said owner Henry Kallina.
“Oh gosh yes,” said Kallina, who has owned the store for eight years. “We’ve sold more scooters than anything this year.”
Gas mileage upwards of 60 miles per gallon (“You can fill the things up for less than $5,” he said) and two selling points – appealing to consumers and the lower price point compared to other vehicles – that’s what’s luring customers.
“You can put them on a credit card,” said Kallina, “Which is pretty appealing to a lot of people.”
Though emissions from motor scooters are lower than most vehicles, some companies are promoting their environmentally friendly appeal.
“Like everything else, they very much are ‘going green’,” said Bolc, who recently visited with Vespa officials in Florence, Italy.
Bolc noted that hybrid gas-electric Vespa scooters have been introduced in Europe and should make it to the U.S. by the end of 2009 or early 2010. While many of the Vespa scooters Bolc has for sale range in fuel economy from 70–100 miles per gallon, the new hybrid models will bump up the average to 150–200 miles per gallon.
Though motor scooter sales volume has been up thus far in 2008, many area vendors are left wondering if the pace can continue in view of the current global financial uncertainty.
“I’m sure I’m not the only one concerned,” said Kallina. “We’ll just have to wait and see like everyone else.”
356-2466