News
Gulfstream trumps Bombardier in 2013 BizAv sales
Feb. 20, 2014, Montreal - Bombardier lost its position as the global business jet leader in 2013 for the first time in nearly a decade as Gulfstream's billings were US$1 billion more than its Canadian rival, the General Aviation Manufacturers Association said Wednesday.
February 20, 2014 By The Canadian Press
The aircraft manufacturer said it had anticipated that Gulfstream's
new G650 would have an impact on the global ranking, but that it aims to
regain the edge it had held since 2005.
"We still hope that the top spot is within reach in the
short- and medium-term future," spokeswoman Annie Cossette said
Wednesday.
The GAMA report is the latest bad news for
Bombardier, which reported weak financial results that caused its shares
to plummet after it reduced its profit target for 2014. The shares
gained three cents to close at $3.55 Wednesday on the Toronto Stock
Exchange.
Bombardier expects to deliver 200 business jets
this year, 11 per cent more than last year and is also developing a
number of new business jets that could help it longer term.
However, only the Challenger 350
is expected to be available for delivery this year. The long-range
Global 7000/8000 isn't expected to be delivered until 2016 and 2017
while the Learjet 85 is only expected to make its maiden test flight in
the "coming weeks" after receiving a U.S. government permit.
Bombardier sold 25 per cent more
aircraft than Gulfstream in 2013, but the U.S. company generated 16 per
cent higher revenues of US$7.35 billion.
The Montreal-based manufacturer sold 180
business jets in 2013, one more than in 2012 as the value of its
billings increased 8.6 per cent to US$6.33 billion.
Bombardier deliveries included 62 large Global
planes, 32 Challenger 605s, 55 Challenger 300s and 29 Learjets. The
relative weakness in the small jet market saw Learjet deliveries fall by
10 planes, offset by the shipment of eight more Globals and seven more
Challenger 300s.
Gulfstream's total deliveries increased by 53
per cent to 144 aircraft, including 121 larger models and 23 Gulfstream
150s and 280s. The company declined to comment on gaining the world's
top sales ranking.
Bombardier had previously said it
was hopeful of remaining on top for an eighth consecutive year with a
strong fourth quarter, but its billings trailed Gulfstream in all of the
final three quarters of the year.
The industry shipped 678 business jets last
year, six more planes than in 2012. However, total billings increased 23
per cent due to growth in the more expensive, larger cabin segment,
partially offset by continued challenges in small- and medium-sized
planes.
Total aircraft shipments, including single- and
twin-engine turboprops, rose 4.3 per cent to 2,256 planes as billings
grew 24 per cent to US$23.4 billion. That was the second-highest level
since 2008.
The association said improved numbers across all
categories is fuelling "cautious optimism into 2014" as new aircraft
are set to be introduced.
But CEO Pete Bunce said business jets is the one area of the industry the association is most concerned about.
Economic weakness in Europe and
the United States has affected orders for smaller planes, while demand
for larger aircraft have been growing in the Middle East.
"How those economies continue to recover will
impact the fortunes of the light- and mid-market," he said during a news
conference webcast from Washington, D.C.
Bunce said the introduction of new light- and medium-sized jets will help this segment to begin to improve.
"I think we will actually see that part of the
market pick up a little bit in 2014 just due to the long lead nature of
the products that we provide."
The recovery in the light business jet segment
has taken longer than anticipated but Cossette said Bombardier has
invested heavily to position the company when economic conditions
improve.
