MOTORBIKE SALES UP 6%IN OCTOBER

MOTORBIKE SALES UP 6%IN OCTOBER

(ANSA) - Rome, November 2 - Green trade-in initiatives from the government helped boost sales of motorbikes over 50cc up by 6.1% last month, compared to October 2008, sector sources said on Monday.

Scooter sales were particularly strong, up by 11.8%, while motorcycle sales fell 9.1%.

Sales of 50c mopeds continued to slide, falling 12.3% over October 2008.

The strong scooter sales helped Vespa-maker Piaggio to boost its market share to 30% for the first ten months of the year, over the same period last year.

The government incentives offer a 500-euro bonus for those who trade in their old, high-emission Euro 0 and 1 motorbikes for those with a Euro 3 rating or more and with motors up to 400cc.