📈 Production and Sales Rise: German Bicycle Market Q1 2025 & Taiwan’s Export Recovery Trends
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German Bicycle Market Q1 2025 & Taiwan Ebike Export Update | XVE Insights
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Germany’s bicycle production and sales rose in Q1 2025, while Taiwan’s e-bike exports showed signs of recovery. Explore detailed market trends, trade data, and global implications.
🇩🇪 German Bicycle Market Q1 2025: Signs of Stabilization
According to data released by the German Bicycle Industry Association (ZIV), the industry is cautiously rebounding. The market experienced double-digit growth in both production and sales in Q1 2025:
🔹 Sales Highlights:
Bicycles: 385,000 units (+10% YoY)
E-bikes: 500,000 units (+11% YoY)
Total: 885,000 units sold (+10.6% YoY)
📉 However, from April to May, sales momentum slowed, and spring growth narrowed to ~5%. Demand remained strong for sports models and e-MTBs, while retailers continued clearing excess inventory from previous quarters.
🏭 Local Production Ramps Up
Germany’s domestic manufacturing continued to grow, reinforcing local supply chains:
E-bike production: 520,000 units (+16%)
Bicycle production: 240,000 units (+10%)
Total output: 760,000 units (+13.4% YoY)
📌 Note: ZIV’s Burkhard Stork warns this Q1 growth may include pre-orders and should be interpreted with caution for full-year projections.
🔁 Trade Activity: Exports and Imports Rise
📦 Exports:
Bicycles: 182,000 units (+24.7%)
E-bikes: 156,000 units (+6.8%)
Total exports: 338,000 units (+15.8%)
🚚 Imports:
Bicycles: 439,000 units (+29.5%)
E-bikes: 202,000 units (+23.9%)
Total imports: 640,000 units (+27.5%)
While growth is notable, ZIV maintains a cautious outlook: the rebound is off a low base in 2024, and sustained momentum remains uncertain through 2025.
Taiwan’s E-Bike Export: Recovery in Q1, Slump in May
🔹 Q1–April 2025 Performance:
Taiwan’s e-bike exports showed their first year-on-year growth since the pandemic:
Export value: $236M (+0.26%)
Average unit price: $2,023 (+12%)
Parts export value: $437M (+5.92%)
🧠 Industry experts attribute this to Taiwan’s shift to high-end electric mobility solutions.
“An e-bike often equals the price of three regular bicycles,” said Wu Zongxian, chairman of the Taiwan Bicycle Association. “This high-value shift is driving R&D investment.”
📉 May 2025: Export Momentum Declines Again
According to Taiwan customs data:
E-bike exports (Jan–May): 143,000 units (↓13% YoY)
EU-specific exports: ↓10%
May alone: 25,793 units (↓20% YoY from May 2024)
While the first four months showed promise, May data reflects market volatility and a possible plateau. The 2025 five-month cumulative value is now 1% lower than the same period last year.
🧩 What This Means for the Global Ebike Market
Germany: A cautiously optimistic recovery in local production and e-bike consumption
Taiwan: Shifting toward high-value exports, but facing demand headwinds in May
EU Market Readiness: As growth resumes, OEMs, battery makers, and ebike charger suppliers like XVE must prepare for shifting demand, tighter standards (e.g., IEC 61851-3-4), and smarter product development
📌 Summary
| Region | Q1 2025 Trend | May 2025 Outlook |
|---|---|---|
| Germany | Sales +10.6%, Production +13.4% | Slowing growth in spring |
| Taiwan | Export value +0.26%, Parts +6% | Export volume -13% in May |
2025 may not mark full recovery yet—but it’s clearly the year the global bicycle and e-bike industry begins to turn around.