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Motorcycles Up to 160 cc Dominate Brazil with Cars Out of Reality and Place the Country Among the World’s Largest Manufacturers

Written by Alisson Ficher
Published on 02/11/2025 at 14:37
Motos até 160 cilindradas dominam o Brasil e impulsionam a indústria nacional. Descubra por que o país virou potência sobre duas rodas.
Motos até 160 cilindradas dominam o Brasil e impulsionam a indústria nacional. Descubra por que o país virou potência sobre duas rodas.
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With the Price of Cars Increasing, Motorcycles Are Solidifying as an Option for Mobility and Work. National Production Is Growing, Consortia Are Expanding and the Industry Keeps Brazil Among the Largest Manufacturers in the World.

The motorcycle has become the most accessible vehicle for millions of Brazilians in light of the surge in prices of new cars and the difficulty of credit.

The national fleet now exceeds 34 million motorcycles in circulation.

Production for 2024 totaled 1.748 million units, a recent record, and industry projections indicate a new advance in 2025.

Models of up to 160 cc account for about 80% of sales.

Honda and Yamaha concentrate almost 80% of the market, with the leader maintaining close to a 67% share.

Price and Cost of Use Drive the Choice for Two Wheels

The entry price of a new car has become out of reach for most of the population.

Even in the most basic versions, the price well exceeds the budget of most.

Low-displacement motorcycles, in turn, cost less, require cheaper maintenance, and get more kilometers per liter.

Tolls also weigh less on the wallet.

For workers who traverse the city every day, the time saved with a motorcycle becomes a decisive asset.

App-Based Jobs and Deliveries Consolidate Demand

The expansion of delivery and transportation services via motorcycle has changed the urban landscape.

Since the pandemic, delivery has ceased to be a niche and has become essential infrastructure for commerce and food.

This has pushed the market upwards and established the motorcycle as a work tool.

Sector experts point out that the pace of deliveries has not slowed down with the end of health restrictions.

On the contrary, the habit of buying with quick delivery has spread across the country, including in medium and smaller cities.

Consortium Gives Traction Where Credit Is Expensive

With high interest rates and restricted credit, the consortium has become the entry point for consumers who cannot secure traditional financing.

The modality dilutes the purchase over time and broadens the potential audience.

For manufacturers, the mechanism helps plan production and build customer loyalty through the dealership network.

Economists consulted by the sector emphasize that a significant portion of sales comes from consortium groups, with a prominent role among leading brands.

Low-Displacement Market Dominates

Brazil on two wheels has a popular profile.

The preference for motorcycles up to 160 cc reflects affordable pricing, fuel efficiency, and practical urban use.

In the recent registration ranking, models like Honda CG 160, Honda Biz 125, and Honda Pop 110i are among the best-selling.

The lower ticket price, combined with reduced operating costs, explains the supremacy of this segment.

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National Industry and the Strength of the Manaus Pole

Motorcycle production in the country is concentrated in the Industrial Pole of Manaus, one of the cornerstones of the Free Trade Zone.

The segment ranks among the largest in local revenue and structures supplier chains scattered across Brazil.

There is a high localization rate of components in high-volume models, which reduces logistics costs and provides predictability for supply.

The solid presence of Honda and Yamaha has paved the way for dealerships, workshops, and financing.

New brands and recent returns follow this path, attracted by the market scale and infrastructure established in Amazonas.

Expensive Cars, Tight Income and Difficult Mobility

The loss of purchasing power pressures family budgets, especially at the base of the pyramid.

The high informality limits access to automotive financing.

At the same time, insufficient public transport in many cities pushes those who can to individual solutions.

In this scenario, the motorcycle fits into the real life of those who need to cross long distances daily.

In rural areas and municipalities in the North and Northeast, it replaces draft animals and shortens journeys on poor roads.

Concentrated Leadership and Dispute in Upper Segments

The historical leadership of Honda is explained by its focus on entry-level displacements, precisely where the bulk of the market lies.

Yamaha occupies the second position, also with a strong portfolio in daily urban use.

Competition is growing in more expensive niches — such as trail, roadster, and larger scooters — and in brands that test subscriptions and plans for fleet owners.

Even so, the large base continues in popular motorcycles, with extensive distribution and technical assistance in almost all municipalities.

Electric Motorcycles and Subscription Services Are on the Radar

The advance of electric motorcycles is still incipient, but traditional manufacturers have pilot programs and new models for urban use.

At the same time, startups and manufacturers offer subscriptions for delivery drivers, with plans that include maintenance and quick replacement in case of breakdown.

This arrangement reduces the initial outlay and helps keep the motorcycle running, a central requirement for those who make a living from deliveries.

Recent Data Show Energy in 2025

The industry closed 2024 with 1.748 million units produced and upwardly adjusted the projections for 2025.

Sector estimates talk about a new annual record, driven by strong registrations and controlled inventories.

At the start of the year, the share of motorcycles of up to 160 cc was close to 79%.

In the aggregate of brands, Honda held about two-thirds of the market, with Yamaha around 14%.

The other manufacturers share a smaller slice, but are growing in specific niches and regions.

Supply Follows Demand Even With Limited Credit

The combination of consortium, local supplier network, and production scale supports the national supply.

With this foundation, manufacturers can balance production and prioritize fast-moving models.

This strategy reduces the risk of disruptions and ensures availability even when financing tightens.

For those who need to work, being without a motorcycle is not an option.

Recreation Also Gains Space

Although purchasing out of economic necessity is dominant, recreational use is growing in outings, short trips, and weekend groups.

The greater availability of safety gear, clothing, and accessories accompanies this movement.

It is a diverse income audience that finds affordable options and more expensive models at dealerships.

In a country where distances are long, wages are tight, and time is a scarce resource, low-displacement motorcycles have occupied the center of national mobility.

The pressing question is: will the market be able to sustain this pace in light of high-interest rates, the arrival of electric models, and the economic slowdown?

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Alisson Ficher

Jornalista formado desde 2017 e atuante na área desde 2015, com seis anos de experiência em revista impressa, passagens por canais de TV aberta e mais de 12 mil publicações online. Especialista em política, empregos, economia, cursos, entre outros temas e também editor do portal CPG. Registro profissional: 0087134/SP. Se você tiver alguma dúvida, quiser reportar um erro ou sugerir uma pauta sobre os temas tratados no site, entre em contato pelo e-mail: alisson.hficher@outlook.com. Não aceitamos currículos!

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