The used motorcycle market is in a "race against time":

Following the issuance of Directive No. 20/CT-TTg dated July 12, 2025, by the Prime Minister on urgent tasks to address environmental pollution, which includes restricting gasoline and diesel-powered vehicles in the Ring Road 1 area of ​​Hanoi, the used motorcycle market – which is large in scale and closely linked to the lives of urban workers – is facing changes to adapt.

Older motorcycle models are facing a major challenge from the new wave of affordable electric vehicles. Photo: Nguyen Thuc

Many developments are unfolding before "D-Day".

Prime Minister's Directive No. 20/CT-TTg has set a new milestone: No motorcycles or scooters using fossil fuels will be allowed to circulate within Hanoi 's Ring Road 1 from July 1, 2026. In recent days, numerous used motorcycle markets in the capital, from Chua Ha Street (Cau Giay Ward), Phung Hung Street (Hoan Kiem Ward), and Linh Nam Street (Linh Nam Ward), have witnessed significant changes in the number of transactions, the selling prices of gasoline-powered models, and related consumer preferences.

According to those directly involved in the business, sales after July 4th were about 20%-30% lower than the same period last year. The trading atmosphere is somewhat quieter, with sellers hesitant to import goods and buyers uncertain about investing in a used gasoline-powered motorcycle at this time.

The owner of a used car dealership with over 30 years of experience on Chua Ha Street said that the impacts are now clearly visible, but the extent of the impact varies depending on each business and its main product. The group most affected is used motorcycles priced between 15-30 million VND, as many consumers needing transportation in this price range tend to "conveniently" switch to buying electric two-wheelers when making their decisions at this time.

To address this, used motorcycle businesses are adjusting their prices. "Currently, dealers are proactively reducing prices by about 5-10% and are still able to convince buyers," shared the owner of a used motorcycle business. The reduction in selling prices also means a corresponding reduction in the purchase price of used motorcycles. A used gasoline motorcycle that a store previously accepted to buy for around 100 million VND will now be purchased for around 90-93 million VND, equivalent to a 5-10% reduction.

Rarely have sales remained stable in the short term, particularly for models with distinctive features, such as the Honda SH or SuperCub 125, and large-displacement motorcycles. According to business owners, the electric motorcycle market currently lacks alternatives to high-end scooters or vehicles with strong personality. Therefore, consumers are still primarily drawn to traditional options.

Opportunities come with risks.

In this context, the question arises: Can used motorcycle shops adapt and transform quickly enough before being left behind? Like any major shift, risks always come with opportunities. For used motorcycle businesses, surviving through this transition period requires rapid adaptation. Restructuring inventory, seeking new market segments, and collaborating with electric vehicle conversion companies are all potential avenues. "We also have contingency plans for new market developments," the owner of the used motorcycle business confidently stated, but did not specify which approach is most feasible.

However, not all used motorcycle businesses are confident in adapting, especially small, independent businesses with sales below 30 bikes per month. Their limited capital and need for quick turnover mean that immediate survival has become a major challenge. Some businesses that only sell directly at their stores within Hanoi, without online sales systems, social media, or partners outside the city, will face difficulties in the face of the new situation. Meanwhile, individuals selling used motorcycles based on experience are also easily confused or maintain a conservative mindset, further increasing their risks.

The transition to electric vehicle sales is not yet the right path. Business owners say that, besides product issues, consumer psychology is the biggest obstacle. Khanh Hung, a used motorcycle dealer looking for opportunities with new models, assesses that buyers are currently hesitant to approach new electric motorcycles, let alone used ones. The reason is that the used electric vehicle market has not yet established specific quality and pricing standards like the used gasoline motorcycle market. Assessing battery and motor quality cannot be based solely on intuition or personal experience in the traditional way, posing risks for both sellers and buyers.

Used motorcycle shops that want to invest properly to switch to selling electric vehicles also face obstacles in accessing capital to invest in inspection equipment, warranty services, or expanding technical services. They also lack connections with suppliers and manufacturers to import replacement parts once they switch to selling electric vehicles.

Regardless, the current transitional period means that businesses selling used motorcycles will have to adapt accordingly in order to survive. From a macro perspective, the used motorcycle market in Vietnam in general, and Hanoi in particular, will certainly undergo fundamental changes to adapt to the trend of limiting the use of fossil fuels.

Source: https://hanoimoi.vn/thi-truong-xe-may-cu-chay-nuoc-rut-thay-doi-de-thich-nghi-710822.html