Chongqing - Companies based in Chongqing, namely Loncin, Zonsen, and Yinxiang, secured the second, third, and eighth spots, respectively, on China's top 10 list for fuel motorcycle sales, according to the 2023 sales data recently released by the China Chamber of Commerce for Motorcycle.

Made-in-Chongqing motorcycles were displayed at a citizen event. (Photo/Chongqing Municipal Commission of Commerce )

The trio of companies from Chongqing manufactured a combined total of 2.72 million motorcycles. In the export market, motorcycles from Chongqing led, with Loncin, Zonsen, Yinxiang, Lifan, and Bashan Motorcycle in the top 10. Additionally, Zonsen and Loncin earned positions in the top ten in the burgeoning electric motorcycle market.

Motorcycle firms are increasingly moving towards premium and smart products. For instance, China's Loncin introduced its high-end brand, VOGE, which, after five years, boasts a full product lineup and diverse models with over 1,500 stores in more than 50 countries. 

Loncin leads the industry by adopting automotive-grade platforms for an integrated vehicle controller (ICCU), onboard radar, and a second-generation vehicle internet system (Telematics BOX), achieving complete integration in its domestic offerings.

Chongqing's motorcycle industry, with 43 producers making 5.62 million motorcycles worth 86.2 billion yuan (USD 11.97 billion) in 2023 and contributing 47.5% to national exports, is central to its manufacturing sector. Facing challenges like the dominance of mid-to-low-end products and low localization of critical parts, the city focuses on refining its product lineup, boosting R&D, and enhancing competitiveness.

Accroding to an action plan for the high-quality development of Chongqing's high-end motorcycle industry cluster, the city aims for a 140-billion-yuan industrial output and over eight million units produced annually by 2027, with five million destined for export. The plan aims to increase R&D investment to 5% and build a high-end motorcycle industry cluster worth over 100 billion yuan.

The China Motorcycle Association reports last year's motorcycle sales in China hit around 18.99 million units, with fuel-powered motorcycle sales slightly up and exports topping 10 million for the third straight year. Electric motorcycle sales stood at 4.81 million units, falling by 30.82% and 36.97%, respectively.

 (Fan Hongyi, as an intern, also contributed to this report.)