Chongqing – A motorcycle can be assembled in Chongqing in just four hours, thanks to a dense supplier network where manufacturers can source almost every component they need.

Laodingpo Auto and Motorcycle Parts Market in Jiulongpo District, Chongqing. (Photo/Jiulongpo District)

The Laodingpo market has long represented Chongqing's broader manufacturing strengths. A local saying claims that at Laodingpo, "one screw is enough to build a vehicle" — a reference to its extensive selection of parts and integrated supply chain.

The market began taking shape in 1992, when residents raised funds to establish a street specializing in motorcycle components. It gradually developed into a full-scale auto and motorcycle parts market by 1997.

Today, Laodingpo comprises five specialized markets totaling 132,400 square meters. It houses 1,720 businesses and employs more than 6,000 people, selling auto parts, motorcycle components, and complete vehicles.

This concentration of suppliers has also supported a new generation of manufacturers. Zhang Xue, founder of Chongqing-based motorcycle producer ZXMOTO, began his entrepreneurial journey in the market after arriving in the city in 2013 with 20,000 yuan (about 2,962 U.S. dollars). He later recalled that he could find all the parts needed to build a motorcycle in a single market.

French rider Valentin Debise, riding ZXMOTO's 820RR-RS, wins the WSBK Portugal round and raises China's national flag after the race. (Photo/ZXMOTO)

For established parts suppliers, Laodingpo's industrial network is now becoming a foundation for overseas expansion.

Zhang Chunhong, general manager of Chongqing Qicheng Auto Parts Co., has worked at the market for 18 years. In 2024, he expanded the company's operations into import and export trade, beginning to explore markets in the Middle East and Central Asia.

The transition required new capabilities in market research, international exhibitions, logistics, customs clearance, and regulatory compliance. Chongqing's inland location also means some shipments must first travel to coastal provinces such as Guangdong or Zhejiang before being loaded onto ships.

To reduce the cost of entering unfamiliar markets, Zhang and other businesses have adopted a group export strategy. Companies share exhibition booths, logistics services, and market information while continuing to operate independently.

"Working with a group means we can discuss problems together and improve our chances of success," Zhang said.

Local authorities have introduced training programs on overseas regulations and risk prevention while connecting companies with legal services and international exhibitions. Exports now account for 40% of Qicheng's revenue.

Laodingpo's transformation reflects the broader evolution of Chongqing's motorcycle industry. The municipality has developed clusters of traditional motorcycle manufacturers in districts including Banan and Jiulongpo, while electric motorcycle producers have expanded in western districts such as Tongliang, Yongchuan, and Dazu.

According to municipal industry authorities, Chongqing has 51 major motorcycle manufacturers and more than 410 component companies. The city has the capacity to produce 20 million motorcycles and 20 million engines, supported by local suppliers of engines, frames, clutches, shock absorbers, wheels, tires, and instruments.

An assembly line for Cyclone, the premium motorcycle brand of Zonsen Motorcycle. (Photo/Zonsen Motorcycle)

Local suppliers provide more than 80% of the components used in Chongqing's traditional motorcycles and about 60% of those used in electric motorcycles.

In 2025, Chongqing produced 7.857 million motorcycles and exported 6.109 million, accounting for more than one-third of China's motorcycle exports. The figures mean that roughly one in every three Chinese motorcycles sold overseas came from Chongqing.

As manufacturers expand internationally, the city's motorcycle sector is also moving toward larger-displacement models, electric powertrains, and connected technologies. Laodingpo remains a window into that transition — a long-established parts market linking Chongqing's dense supplier network with a growing global industry.