Dahons Folding Bike Sales Surge

DUARTE, US – Dahon booked record sales for the first half of 2008, representing a 32% increase in unit volume and 30% increase in revenues compared to the year earlier period. Both unit numbers and
revenues are an all-time high for Dahon in a six-month period. Dahon sold

239,000 folding bicycles during the six months period compared with 180,000 units during the same period in 2007.

Dahon’s sales were good in traditionally strong markets like Europe and the US but saw especially strong growth in Asia where the company is also distributing its bikes through concept stores like the one pictured here which is located in Shenzhen, China.

First-time folding bike buyers

According to Dahon, the majority of its sales were to first-time folding bike buyers. Sales of folding bikes in certain markets are booming. They now make up over 40% of new bike sales in Korea and 30% in Taiwan, two markets where government investment in bicycle infrastructure is paying dividends with tremendous growth in bike sales.

 “2008 sales have gone very well considering the general economic environment,” stated Dr. David Hon, Dahon president and CEO. “We’re seeing a lot of consumers turning to cycling as high gas prices and concerns about global warming begin to hit home. I think what we are seeing is a fundamental paradigm shift in how bicycles are perceived and utilized."

"The bicycle has long been viewed as the poor man’s form of transport with everybody aspiring towards a car. But this perception is changing and a beautifully designed and functional bicycle has now become an aspiration for many. For those of us who have been promoting bicycles for transport for years and even decades, it’s a welcome tailwind.”