The motorcycle industry in China has experienced significant growth over the past few decades. Several Chinese manufacturers have emerged, producing a wide range of motorcycles, scooters, and related vehicles. Some of these companies focus primarily on the domestic market, while others have expanded their reach globally through exports, partnerships, and even acquisitions of established international brands. Here's an overview of some notable Chinese motorcycle brands:
- Baotian: Jiangmen Sino-HongKong Baotian Motorcycle Industrial Co. Ltd., founded in 1994, manufactures motorcycles and scooters. Baotian tuning is reportedly popular in Finland. Baotian UK has been operating since 2005.
- Benelli: Originally an Italian company founded in 1911, Benelli is now owned by the Chinese Qianjiang Motorcycle group. While its headquarters remain in Italy, the company is under full Chinese control. According to webbikeworld.com, Benelli is currently China’s premiere mid-size motorcycle manufacturer.
- Chang Jiang: This brand is known for its CJ750 motorcycle, a derivative of the Soviet IMZ M-72, which itself was based on the 1938 BMW R71. These motorcycles almost always include sidecars. They are often mistakenly called BMW replicas, but they are actually derivatives of the IMZ M-72. The motorcycles were once manufactured by the China Nanchang Aircraft Manufacturing Company.
- Evoke Motorcycles: Based in Beijing, Evoke Motorcycles focuses on electric motorcycles. Founded in 2014 by Nathan Siy and Chris Riether, the company had been developing electric motorcycles since 2012. Their first mass-produced model was the Urban S, a naked electric street bike.
- Jinan Qingqi: Founded in 1956, Jinan Qingqi Motorcycle Co., Ltd manufactures mopeds, quad bikes, and small-engine motorcycles. The company is headquartered in Jinan, Shandong Province. Qingqi is reportedly a well-known moped brand in China and a large OEM provider to companies like Cycle Union, Suzuki, and Peugeot.
- Jincheng Suzuki: This is a joint Sino-Japanese venture between Suzuki and Nanjing Jincheng Machinery, established in 1994 and headquartered in Nanjing. Jincheng Suzuki produces motorcycles and scooters. The company claims an output of 3,000 units per month.
- Lifan: Lifan Industry (Group) Co., Ltd., headquartered in Chongqing, China, was founded in 1992. It manufactures motorcycles, automobiles, and engines. According to webbikeworld.com, Lifan's products include passenger cars, microvans, dirt bike engines, entry-level motorcycles, mini-vehicles, and commercial trucks.
- Loncin: Loncin Holdings, Ltd., based in Chongqing, China, distributes its products globally. It is known for its Loncin brand of motorcycles and ATVs, produced by Longxin Motorcycle Industry Co., Ltd., and for UAVs. Its motorcycles are sold under different brand names in various countries, including Italika in Mexico, AKT in Colombia, Viper Motorcycles in Ukraine, Minsk in Russia and Belarus, and Zanella in Argentina.
- Qianjiang Motorcycle: Zhejiang Qianjiang Motorcycle Group Co., founded in 1985, is a major Chinese motorcycle manufacturer. The company owns the Italian motorcycle brand Benelli.
- Yinxiang Motorcycle: Founded in 1997, Yinxiang Motorcycle is a brand of the Yinxiang Group, based in Chongqing, China. The company specializes in real estate, research, development, manufacturing, and sales of motorcycles, gasoline engines, and general-purpose engines and equipment.
- Znen: Founded in 1986 by Chen Huaneng in Taizhou, Zhejiang, Znen began manufacturing gasoline scooters in 1996. Zhongneng Industry Group produces gasoline scooters, electric scooters, and motorcycles. The Znen C Artemis scooter is sold worldwide under various names.
- Zongshen: This Chinese company claims to produce over one million motorcycles annually. Founded in 1992, Zongshen has grown into a major manufacturing company. The brand reportedly does not manufacture motorcycles over 250cc.
The rise of Chinese motorcycle brands reflects the country's growing industrial capabilities and its increasing presence in the global market. While some brands focus on affordability and smaller displacement motorcycles, others are expanding into larger displacement models and electric vehicles, signaling a diversification and maturation of the industry.
