New Study 'Market Tracking: Pleasure Boats in Europe 2007' Analyses the Developm

After having reached a peek in 2005, the Pleasure Boats market has cooled off even though it remains highly valued. However, 2007 and 2008 should be harder years for the market. Four main factors influence this slowdown, and the market evolution, all of which have to be analysed: structural factors, regulation and legislation of the market, general economic factors, and internal competition.

Geographically speaking, in 2006, Italy was the most valued market, but was down from 2005. Measured by this latter, UK championed with an impressive rebound. More generally, a clear bi-polar tendency has emerged. The four “smallest” countries all evolved in the above market average, and the bigger countries seemed to start stagnating. In terms of type of boat bought, North Europe, Portugal, and the Baltic tend to prefer the sailing boat more so than the other European countries. Germany is an exception to this “rule”. However, a large amount of the German boats tend to be used in the Baltic region.

Per size classes, Italy leads the 0-15ft and 42ft up class. France favours >15-25ft and >36-42ft boats, as Germany leads the >25-32ft class and UK the >32-36ft market.

On the competition level, the European boat landscape is changing from year to year. International consolidation continues, with large companies showing aggressive growth strategies whether by growing organically, using internal financing leverage, or by acquisitions. Altogether, in 2006 the market share of the top ten companies represented an important share of the total market (% in study). The highest increase was registered however amongst the top five companies. This trend should continue in the near future as competition within the European market tightens and market growth flattens. Moreover, with limited production flexibility (small/middle size production), economies of scale are still possible. The industry is even starting to talk about automotive way of production, soft analogy to the “Toyota way of production.”

The annually published Market Tracking: Pleasure Boats in Europe 2007 offers:

Development of the total market and forecasts for each of the regions, boat types (motorboats and sailing boats) and size classes for the years 2004 -2010 in terms of quantity and value.

The report includes the following regions: UK, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Benelux, Eastern & Mediterranean Region, Baltic Region and Northern Europe.

Subdivision in boat type and size class for every company in terms of quantity for each region.

The report includes the following size classes: 0 - 15 ft, >15 - 25 ft, >25 - 32 ft, >32 - 36 ft, >36 - 42 ft, >42 – 50 ft, >50 - 60 ft and >60 – 80 ft

The report includes the Top 40 companies and their market shares in Europe.

Chapter Titles Include:1- Introduction and Executive Summary2- Definitions and Delimitations3- Total Market Analysis4- Regional Market Analysis5- Pivot Table

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