“Every time I design and manufacture a motorcycle, I think about it, it’s for my children to ride, so what’s the most important thing? Safety! Next comes appearance, performance, comfort, etc.” Wu Huacong, chairman of Jinlang Science and Technology Co., Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as “Jinlang Technology”), said recently.

Start from a Mechanic

Jinlang Technology was founded in 1998 and is located in Jinqing Town, Luqiao District, Taizhou City. It is a high-tech enterprise focusing on the R&D and manufacturing of motorcycles and engines, with 143 patents. The company’s brand——ARIIC motorcycles are sold well in China and abroad, among which the ARIIC 318GT motorcycle has become the flagship model and is sought after by many motorcycle enthusiasts.

“I am not a person with a strong sense of purpose. I just do what I think I should do at every moment.” Wu said that he was the first student to graduate from a vocational school in Taizhou. His major was accounting, which is completely different from motorcycles. In order to survive and because of his love for motorcycles, after graduation, he learned a craft——motorcycle repair, became a motorcycle mechanic, and then opened his own motorcycle repair shop. “I can be regarded as the first generation of motorcycle mechanics in my country. I have been running the shop for more than ten years. I was also a mechanic with very good maintenance skills in the industry.”

In 1998, the development of GEELY Automobile provided many opportunities for the development of related industries, which also gave Wu opportunities. “At that time, I had many years of experience in repairing motorcycles, and I was familiar with every part of motorcycles. At that time, there was an opportunity to supply motorcycle engines to GEELY. I felt that I could do this, and it was more promising than opening a repairing shop and keeping it.” Wu said that after making the decision, he started to develop motorcycle engines on his own with 12 apprentices. After about 2 months, the first engine was finally born. “The moment the engine sounded, it was like a baby was born! It cried! It came to life! I was so excited that I couldn’t sleep all night.”

From Parts to Complete Motorcycle Manufacturing

From 1998 to 2015, Wu focused on the R&D and manufacturing of motorcycle engines and was recognized in the field.

Wu said that he was very confident in the quality of his products from the beginning of production. “I am better at repairing motorcycles than others. I know every pain point of motorcycles. The products I produce are to solve these pain points, so I firmly believe that the engines and vehicles manufactured by me will not be bad.”

In 2016, Wu switched to the R&D and manufacturing of motorcycles. Why did he switch from motorcycle engine manufacturing to motorcycle manufacturing?

Wu said that the auto and motorcycle parts industry in Taizhou has long been one of the important pillar industries, with a complete industrial chain and is a major Chinese production base for auto and motorcycle parts. From parts manufacturing to vehicle manufacturing, it is both the need for enterprise development and his personal dream. “I am a motorcycle enthusiast myself. I have been collecting motorcycles for 30 years and now have over 500 motorcycles of various brands and models from around the world. From collecting to manufacturing, this is the realization of my dream. But the more important reason is that I have witnessed too many motorcycle accidents. Many families have only one child, and once a motorcycle accident occurs, it often brings a devastating blow to a family. I hope I can produce motorcycles with a higher safety factor and minimize safety accidents as much as possible.”

Safety is the Highest Pursuit

When it comes to manufacturing motorcycles, what is the most important? Wu gave his answer when he first stepped into the motorcycle manufacturing industry. “Safety is the top priority, followed by comfort, power, appearance, and so on,” Wu said. Safety is his original intention for manufacturing motorcycles and also the ultimate pursuit of Jinlang Technology. He hopes that every motorcycle trip is a happy one, and the key to a happy trip is safety and comfort. “For every motorcycle model of ARIIC, I always think at the design stage that it is for my child to ride. Safety is always our top priority.”

Wu explained that a motorcycle has thousands of components, and each component is crucial for safety. In terms of details, even something as small as a single screw needs to have its potential risks minimized to maximize the overall stability of the vehicle. “Among the 143 patents, there are over ten invention patents. All the technologies ultimately aim to serve safety. Our goal is to make safety the number one brand worldwide.”

In the exhibition hall of Jinlang Technology, there is a slogan: Products reflect character, quality represents morality. And there is also a fingerprint on it. “This is my fingerprint which is my signature of the ‘life-and-death contract’. I guarantee the quality and safety of the product with my personality,” Wu said. Taking the motorcycle model ARIIC 318 as an example, this product is a classic model of Jinlang Technology. To develop this product, Jinlang Technology purchased over 20 vehicles of the same model from different brands in Chinese and abroad, studied the advantages and disadvantages of each motorcycle, learned from each other’s strengths, and through five or six years of research, ARIIC 318 was finally launched on the market.

Wu frankly stated, the name “ARIIC 318” was chosen because in 2019, that’s his first time to ride on the 318 National Highway from Huangpu District in Shanghai to Nyalam County in Lhasa City, Tibet Autonomous Region. The entire journey was 5,476 kilometers. “This national highway is not easy to ride. The road is bad, the altitude is high, and you can experience spring, summer, autumn and winter in a single day. However, the scenery along the way is extremely beautiful. This requires a motorcycle with both high safety and comfort. And this is precisely the greatest feature of our ARIIC 318. It is a large-tread motorcycle suitable for long-distance travel, and it is also the ultimate destination for riders. I hope all motorcycle enthusiasts can ride the ARIIC 318 to experience the beauty of the great mountains and rivers of our motherland.”

From the large-suspension ARIIC 318 suitable for long-distance travel, to the Gobi 250 which can be regarded as an SUV in the city, and to the JIMEI 108 suitable for female drivers, every motorcycle launched by Jinlang Technology has been highly sought after by consumers, and has occupied a position in each market segment.

Enhance Brand Strength and Expand the E-motorcycle Market Layout

Today, Jinlang Technology has an annual output value of 560 million yuan. Over the past five years, its sales have been increasing at a rate of approximately 30%.

In the future, how will it develop?

Wu said, “One can truly gauge the quality of a motorcycle only after it has been in use for five or six years.” Everyone in the industry knows that in the motorcycle sector, when it comes to the chassis and braking system, Germany has the best; these are also the key components related to safety. When it comes to appearance, Italy has the most artistic appeal; and when it comes to product cost-effectiveness, China has the best.

“We aim to create a motorcycle equivalent to a Lamborghini. To make a great product, we must benchmark against the best products in the world. ARIIC’s products should not only have the feel of luxury goods but also be affordable for ordinary people. This is the pursuit of the manufacturing industry.” Wu said, and next, Jinlang Technology will fully expand into the electric motorcycle market. “The automotive industry is shifting from gasoline to electric power, and the shift from gasoline to electric power in the motorcycle industry is bound to be a trend. This field has great potential. Everyone is exploring and planning, and a new round of industrial development is beginning.”

Furthermore, Wu stated that through years of efforts and accumulation, ARIIC motorcycle have gained a certain level of recognition and reputation in the international market, which is even higher than that in the Chinese market. He believes that the development of motorcycles in China is just beginning, and this is precisely the best time for Jinlang Technology to cultivate the market and operate the brand.

It is known that in order to enhance brand awareness, Jinlang Technology has held the first China ARIIC Cycling Festival since 2000. Starting from the thousand-year-old Shuguang Monument in Shitang, Wenling, on the coast of the East China Sea, and ending at the foot of Mount Qomolangma on the world’s highest peak, it has attracted cycling enthusiasts from all over the world. Last year, the sixth China ARIIC Cycling Festival was successfully held with the theme of “All the way to Beijing”. More than 20 foreigners participated in this event, starting from Xi’an, Shanxi Province, to Tian An Men in Beijing. This event has attracted widespread attention within the cycling community. “After holding six editions, we have invested 26 million yuan. From the beginning, only Chinese cyclists participated, but now more and more foreigners have joined in, greatly enhancing our ARIIC brand’s influence. In the future, I hope to turn the ARIIC Cycling Festival into a global cycling enthusiast’s carnival.”

Give Back to Society, Tell Good Stories about China

Over the years, my career, family and life have all been closely tied to motorcycles. Choosing one thing and dedicating my entire life to it, I love motorcycles and will continue to be in this industry until the end. It has also given me its rewards. Wu said that the reason why Jinlang Technology has grown to its current scale is due to his love for motorcycles, and it is also inseparable from the help and support of the government departments. “Now it is also the time for me and the enterprise to give back to society.”

At the ARIIC Cultural Tourism Base in Luqiao Feilong Lake, Wu introduced that this is a place specifically designated for holding various activities related to motorcycles, such as motorcycle races, motorcycle enthusiasts gatherings, and ARIIC Cycling Festival, etc. “The previous ARIIC Cycling Festival had our routes meticulously designed. Along the way, there were all the famous mountains and great landscapes of our country. Through the motorcycle enthusiasts from all over the world, we told the stories of China. In the future, I am also planning to combine the ARIIC Cycling Festival with the tourism resources of Taizhou. Through the ARIIC Cycling Week, we aim to attract hundreds of thousands of people to come to Taizhou every year, promoting the tourism resources of Taizhou and telling the stories of Taizhou.”

In 2019, Wu leased a 2,600-square-meter old factory to the Jinqing Town Government for the construction of the Jinqing Town Library at a price of 1 yuan per year for a ten-year lease. “Now, this library still has quite a lot of visitors. I believe that knowledge can definitely change one’s fate. If I can do a little bit to help some people who are eager for knowledge, giving them a big hope for their lives, I would be very willing to do it.”

Source:“望潮”