H. Yoo
Research expert covering South Korea
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.
