16 January 2012

Quad bike sales positive economic news

A 10.8 percent increase in the sale of new quad bikes is strong indication that farmers are focussing on productive investment. Yet, as Federated Farmers points out, not all quad bikes are destined for the farm.

“It is positive economic news that the Motor Industry Association reports the sales of quad bikes are up 10.9 percent over 2010,” says Bruce Wills, Federated Farmers President.

“Quad bikes take a pounding so is one asset we need to plan for periodic replacement. That explains why 6,570 were sold in 2011. Let me put it this way, when compared to tractors, there’s very few ‘vintage’ quad bikes around.

“Quad bikes are the farmer’s Swiss army knife but aren’t cheap. Without options, a new quad bike represents a five-figure investment. Any increase in sales, such as 645 more sold in 2011 over 2010, indicates that farmers are focused on productive investment.

“A strong increase in sales may indicate greater confidence from the non-dairy sector especially. It’s a similar picture that saw fertiliser imports leap in the latest Statistics NZ release.

“Better returns are seeing farmers tackle deferred maintenance and that’s good.

“It is also interesting to read that quad bike sales were some 70 percent higher than the sales of road-going bikes over 50CC.

“While there are more quad bikes users need to understand that they are unforgiving if abused. Federated Farmers, FarmSafe, ACC and the Department of Labour all stress the need for users to be competent and trained.

“That’s a message that the sizeable recreational market needs to heed. Casual and recreational users need to understand that quad bikes aren’t toys and training is essential,” Mr Wills concluded.

ENDS

BUDGET 2012:
Parliament Debate Live - Video Of Budget 2011
Keith Ng Interactive Graphic: How the Budget Breaks Down
BUDGET 2012 - FULL COVERAGE: Reports / Analysis - Press Kit - Reaction (from everybody) - Previews (from everybody) - Pre-Budget Announcements

Gordon Campbell: On the Budget’s Spreadsheet Victories

It wasn’t as if expectations were sky high, exactly. Chances are, it was always more likely that we’d be seeing Bigfoot rampage through the Beehive lock-up than catch a glimpse of a credible growth agenda from this government. More >>

Sludge Budget Report - Short The Dollar! MEMO: To international bankers FROM: C.D. Sludge Please short the dollar! It'll be good for both you and us. And you know you want to. Greexit, Eurogeddon... watch out... flight to quality and all that. Follow your instincts. The NZ Debt Management Office has been so surprised at the unprecedentedly low interest rates that it can borrow at that it has already entirely pre-funded the 2013 fiscal deficit - all $8 billion of it! More >>

Pattrick Smellie Comment: Doddling along the best we can hope forCriticising Budgets for lacking vision or imagination is like shooting fish in a barrel, but even so, this year's Budget again feels like a missed opportunity. Perhaps it's the intrusion of real world needs that means the government couldn't make better political use of the $558.8 million it expects to gather in its first partial asset sale. More >>