Exports Continue to Drive Growth as Large-Displacement Motorcycle Sales Rise

In September, China’s motorcycle industry recorded year-on-year growth in both production and sales, as well as month-on-month growth in sales. Exports continued their upward trend, while the domestic market gradually stabilized. From January to September, exports remained a strong driver of industry growth, with large-displacement motorcycles outperforming the industry average and the domestic market showing signs of stabilization and improvement.

Production and Sales Performance

In September, the industry produced and sold 1.7528 million and 1.815 million fuel-powered motorcycles, respectively. Production decreased 2.94% month-on-month, while sales increased 3.40%. Year-on-year, production and sales rose 5.19% and 7.02%, respectively. According to incomplete statistics from the industry association, electric motorcycle production and sales reached 364,200 units and 370,500 units, respectively, increasing 9.49% and 6.30% month-on-month, and 6.62% and 14.93% year-on-year.

Total motorcycle production and sales in September reached 2.1171 million and 2.1855 million units, respectively. Production declined 1.00% month-on-month, while sales increased 3.88%. Year-on-year growth stood at 5.43% and 9.05%, respectively. Domestic motorcycle sales totaled 819,000 units, up 6.84% month-on-month and 5.34% year-on-year. Domestic sales of fuel-powered motorcycles reached 455,800 units, increasing 6.84% month-on-month but decreasing 0.63% year-on-year.

Two-wheel motorcycle production and sales reached 1.8586 million and 1.9209 million units, respectively. Production decreased 1.78% month-on-month, while sales increased 3.06%. Year-on-year, production and sales grew 5.65% and 9.74%, respectively. Motorcycles with engine displacements above 250cc recorded production of 109,900 units and sales of 115,200 units, down 15.79% and 9.00% month-on-month, but up 32.25% and 33.03% year-on-year. Three-wheel motorcycle production and sales reached 258,500 units and 264,600 units, respectively, increasing 4.95% and 10.24% month-on-month, and 3.92% and 4.24% year-on-year.

From January to September, the industry produced 15.6377 million fuel-powered motorcycles and sold 15.6426 million units, representing year-on-year growth of 12.81% and 12.61%. Electric motorcycle production and sales reached 2.9729 million and 2.9367 million units, respectively, increasing 12.23% and 13.32% year-on-year. During the first nine months of the year, total motorcycle production and sales reached 18.6106 million and 18.5792 million units, up 12.71% and 12.73% year-on-year. Domestic sales of fuel-powered motorcycles totaled 4.05 million units, an increase of 2.47% year-on-year, indicating that the domestic market is gradually stabilizing. Two-wheel motorcycle production and sales reached 16.5081 million and 16.4805 million units, respectively, increasing 14.13% and 14.25% year-on-year. Motorcycles with engine displacements above 250cc recorded production of 848,700 units and sales of 849,500 units, up 10.36% and 11.57% year-on-year. Three-wheel motorcycle production and sales reached 2.1025 million and 2.0987 million units, increasing 2.68% and 2.05% year-on-year.

From January to September, the top ten fuel-powered motorcycle manufacturers (groups) by sales volume were Dachangjiang (2,454,800 units), Loncin (1,179,900 units), Tayo (1,108,000 units), Zongshen (992,100 units), Yinxiang (874,700 units), Sundiro-Honda (868,400 units), Haojin (662,900 units), Wuyang-Honda (556,700 units), Dayang (500,400 units), and Jiangmen Summit (408,100 units). Together, these ten companies sold 9.6059 million motorcycles, accounting for 61.41% of total fuel-powered motorcycle sales.

Export Performance

In September, motorcycle exports reached 1.3665 million units, up 2.19% month-on-month and 11.40% year-on-year. Export value totaled US$999 million, increasing 5.69% month-on-month and 24.85% year-on-year. Two-wheel motorcycle exports reached 1.3006 million units, up 1.72% month-on-month and 10.58% year-on-year. Three-wheel motorcycle exports totaled 65,800 units, increasing 12.40% month-on-month and 30.52% year-on-year.

From January to September, the total export value of products from motorcycle manufacturers reached US$10.308 billion, up 26.69% year-on-year. Complete motorcycle exports totaled 11.6603 million units, increasing 16.98% year-on-year, with export value reaching US$8.13 billion, up 23.25%. Motorcycle engine exports totaled 777,200 units, down 20.21% year-on-year, with export value falling 15.91% to US$163 million. ATV exports reached 474,900 units, up 34.37% year-on-year, while export value surged 70.24% to US$1.72 billion. Motorcycle parts exports generated US$294 million, down 12.31% year-on-year.

From January to September, the top ten companies ranked by motorcycle export value were Dachangjiang, Loncin, Tayo, Yinxiang, Sundiro-Honda, Zongshen, CFMOTO, Haojin, QJMOTOR, and SYM. These ten companies generated a combined motorcycle export value of US$5.313 billion, accounting for 65.35% of total motorcycle export value.

In terms of export volume, the top ten companies were Dachangjiang, Loncin, Tayo, Yinxiang, Haojin, Zongshen, Sundiro-Honda, Jiangmen Summit, Lifan, and Bashan. These companies exported a combined 7.2567 million motorcycles, accounting for 62.64% of total motorcycle exports.

Source: CCCM