Motorcycle industry in China - statistics & facts

The development of the motorcycle industry in China began comparatively late, as motorcycles were not produced within China until 1951. But the late beginning did not prevent China from becoming one of the largest motorcycle producers in the world. The development of motorcycle production in China has been driven by high motorcycle demand both domestically and internationally. The current motorcycle market in China has evolved from a single model in the past to a diversified one. Today, abundant types of motorcycles are present not only in different models but also in many functions. For example, three-wheeled motorcycles are seen as multi-purpose vehicles in China. In addition to passenger transportation, they are also used for cargo transport as they provide more flexibility in difficult road or traffic conditions than cars, especially in rural areas. In 2021, motorcycle sales in China amounted to 20.2 million units. Moreover, China's motorcycle exports have experienced sustained growth since the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) infrastructure project began in 2013, reaching approximately 35 million units in 2021.

Large engine capacity motorcycle sales growth

Apart from being a means of transportation, nowadays, motorcycles also represent a means of recreation in China. According to the 92 motor producers nationwide, sales revenue of China’s motorcycle industry experienced significant growth in 2021 to 151.4 billion yuan. The recent growth in motorcycle sales has been attributed to the increasing number of young people’s individualized outings with large engine capacity (above 150 cc) motorcycles.

Domestic market growth for electric motorcycles

To promote transport security and reduce air pollution in cities, fuel-powered motorcycles are banned in most urban areas in China, hindering the motorcycle market development. The number of motorcycles in urban households in China decreased to the lowest in the past two decades to around 18.2 units per one hundred households. As an alternative to fuel-powered motorcycles, electric motorcycles have become the focus of the industry’s future development because of their low emission and environmental friendliness features. In 2020, China sold about 2.3 million electric two-wheeled motorcycles.

Major motorcycle producers and exporters

China has more than 200 domestic motorcycle manufacturers. Da Changjiang is the best seller of gasoline-powered motorcycles, with a 2.3 million sales volume in 2021. It manufactures two well-known brands, namely Haojue and Suzuki. Located in Chongqing, Loncin is one of the leading Chinese motorcycle exporters. In addition to producing its own motorcycles, Loncin is also an OEM for some of BMW’s engines. Another prominent Chinese motorcycle manufacturer from Chongqing city is Lifan. The manufacturer was the first Chinese brand to be sold in Japan and started a strategic partnership with MV Agusta in 2011, which allowed Lifan to sell motorcycles in a wider range of segmentation.
This text provides general information. Statista assumes no liability for the information given being complete or correct. Due to varying update cycles, statistics can display more up-to-date data than referenced in the text.
Published by Statista Research Department, Feb 3, 2023

Key insights

Type of motorcycle with highest sales
Two-wheeled motorcycle
Monthly motorcycle production
1.42m
Monthly sales of two-wheeled motorcycles
1.28m
Get more insights

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