Chongqing - Chongqing-based motorcycle maker ZXMOTO is taking its growing international profile onto European roads, with plans to introduce nine models by the end of 2027 and expand its distribution network across the region.

The company has already secured European Union Whole Vehicle Type Approval for its 500RR model and delivered motorcycles to distributors in Spain, France, the United Kingdom and Poland, said Huang Qin, head of ZXMOTO's international trade department, at the 83rd EICMA motorcycle show in Milan.

The announcement comes as Chinese motorcycle brands seek a larger foothold in overseas markets, moving beyond price competition to demonstrate their capabilities in performance, engineering, and product development.

At this year's exhibition, nearly 300 Chinese manufacturers presented their products, including ZXMOTO and CFMOTO, a Hangzhou-based manufacturer of motorcycles and all-terrain vehicles. Their displays reflected the growing range of Chinese-made motorcycles and mobility products entering international markets.

Motorcycle enthusiasts from overseas get a hands-on look at Chinese-made motorcycles at the 24th China International Motorcycle Trade Exhibition. (Photo/Xinhua)

For ZXMOTO, motorsport has become an important part of its efforts to establish the brand overseas. A racing prototype of its 820RR-RS, which competes in the FIM Superbike World Championship, drew considerable attention at the company's booth. In the 2026 season, French rider Valentin Debise finished second overall in the World Supersport category on the motorcycle, recording multiple podium finishes.

The company's expansion is backed by a manufacturing network in Chongqing, one of China's major motorcycle production centers. The city has 51 large-scale motorcycle manufacturers and more than 410 component suppliers, creating a highly integrated industrial cluster in which many parts can be sourced within an hour. From screws and frames to engines, suppliers can quickly provide components and produce prototypes once a design is finalized.

That concentration of manufacturers and suppliers lets companies shorten development cycles and respond faster to changing market demand—an advantage Chinese exhibitors say is attracting growing interest from overseas buyers.

"Our biggest strengths are the cost competitiveness of Chinese manufacturing and our unparalleled efficiency," said Zhang Xue, founder of ZXMOTO.

The shift is also changing the nature of business discussions at the exhibition. Rather than focusing solely on prices and orders, manufacturers and overseas partners are exploring joint technology development, regional market expansion and local operating partnerships.

Nicolas, a Danish motorcycle dealer who has partnered with ZXMOTO, said he was drawn to the company's technical expertise and the products it has already brought to market.

"I see enormous potential," he said. "In the lightweight motorcycle segment, I believe it has a real chance of breaking into the top five in the local market." He also said Chinese manufacturers appeared more willing than some established European brands to experiment with new ideas and pursue innovation.