On December 28th, the 7th Member Congress of the China Chamber of Commerce for Motorcycle was grandly convened in Chongqing. Distinguished attendees included Zuo Zongshen, President of the Chamber’s Board of Directors, Li Bin, Executive Vice President, and Zhang Hongbo, Secretary-General. The meeting was also graced by the presence of Gao Yang, Deputy Director of the Foreign Trade Department at the Ministry of Commerce, Wang Mingda, a Senior Engineer at the Ministry of Ecosystem and Environment, Cheng Xiaodong, Deputy Director of the Organization and Construction Department of the All-China Federation of Industry and Commerce, Shi Yinghua, Director of the Macroeconomic Research Center of the Chinese Academy of Fiscal Sciences, Tu Xingyong, Deputy Director of the Chongqing Economic and Information Commission, Yang Xuchao, Vice President of the Chongqing Council for the Promotion of International Trade, and Liu Kan, Director of the Foreign Trade Promotion Department of the Chongqing Commerce Commission. Over 160 Chamber of Commerce member enterprises nationwide participated in this meeting.

During the meeting, Chamber of Commerce leaders summarized the work of 2023 and discussed the work plan and key points for 2024 with all member units. MEGA CHINAMOTOR participated in the meeting, focusing on the export situation of China’s motorcycle industry, providing authoritative interpretations.

Analysis and Outlook of China’s Current Economic Situation

The meeting, chaired by Li Bin, Executive Vice President, opened with a speech from Tu Xingyong, Deputy Director of the Chongqing Economic and Information Commission.

Gao Yang, Deputy Director of the Foreign Trade Department at the Ministry of Commerce, introduced the current situation and policies of China’s foreign trade. She indicated that in 2023, China’s foreign trade scale and share are expected to remain stable, fundamentally in line with last year. The Chinese foreign trade export shows characteristics of strong resilience, optimized layout, and ample potential, with positive factors in foreign trade development continually accumulating. In 2024, China’s foreign trade situation remains complex and severe, and the Ministry of Commerce will continue to increase support for enterprises, adhere to policy guidance, and provide a multifaceted optimization of services for enterprise foreign trade exports.

Shi Yinghua, Director of the Macroeconomic Research Center of the Chinese Academy of Fiscal Sciences, shared her analysis of the macroeconomic situation with the attendees. She stated: “This year, China’s economic operation shows characteristics of ‘one high, one low, and two stabilities’: high growth rate, low prices, stable employment, and fundamentally balanced international payments. Although the complexity, severity, and uncertainty of the external environment have increased, on the whole, the favorable conditions facing China’s development outweigh the unfavorable factors. The economy is rebounding towards improvement, and the fundamental trend of long-term improvement has not changed. We need to strengthen our confidence and determination.”

Significant Issues of Authoritative Two-Wheeler Industry Data

During the meeting, Vice President Li presented a comprehensive introduction to the development situation of China’s motorcycle industry in 2023. We focus on sharing a few key pieces of information:

The development of China’s motorcycle industry has five characteristics:

1. After nearly a decade of continuous decline, fuel motorcycle sales have gradually stabilized;

1.1) From January to November this year, fuel motorcycle sales were about 13 million units, an increase of 3%, with domestic sales of about 5.5 million units, a decrease of 3%.

1.2) Fuel motorcycle export sales exceeded domestic sales in 2020, and it is estimated that in 2023, fuel motorcycle sales will be about 14.2 million units, with export sales exceeding 8.2 million units, accounting for about 58% of total sales.

1.3) From January to November 2023, among the top twenty enterprises in fuel motorcycle sales, 14 enterprises had an export ratio of over 50%. For Loncin, Tayo, Haojin, Bashan, Rato, Tianma, and Sanya, the export sales ratio even exceeded 90%.

From January to November 2023, the top twenty enterprises in terms of fuel motorcycle sales were Dachangjiang (13,053,680), Loncin (1,194,394), Zongshen (779,544), Sundiro-Honda (702,929), Dayang (600,333), Wuyang-Honda (554,613), Tayo (534,154), Yinxiang (485,949), Dayun (449,961), Qingqi Suzuki (386,392), Lifan (375,071), Qianjiang (360,576), Haojin (326,925), Jianshe (302,744), Sym (240,303), Bashan (218,096), Rato (206,569), Tianma (202,999), Zhuhai Jujiang (177,524), Sanya (164,034).

2. Significant Changes in China’s Fuel Motorcycle Product Structure, Booming Recreational Motorcycles Signal a New Development Stage for the Chinese Motorcycle Industry;

2.1) In 2022, sales of motorcycles with displacements over 250ml in China reached about 550,000 units, a year-on-year increase of 45%, and approximately 2.5 times higher than the same period in 2019.

2.2) In 2023, the market for large-displacement motorcycles slowed down, with domestic brands capturing 80% of the market share. Motorcycles with displacements above 800ml continue to be dominated by imported brands.

3. Electric Motorcycles as a Key Direction for China’s Motorcycle Development;

Electric motorcycles align with China’s strategic development plans and play a vital role in achieving carbon peak and carbon neutrality objectives. They also offer significant advantages in addressing urban short-to-medium distance travel and logistics delivery in the commercial sector. Currently, the market penetration rate of electric motorcycles in China exceeds 60%. However, due to incomplete statistical data on electric motorcycles and the impact of China’s restrictions on motorcycle usage, the growth of electric two-wheelers in recent years does not appear significant from statistical data alone.

4. Steady Recovery in Motorcycle Export Enterprises, Continuous Optimization of Export Product Structure;

4.1) This year, the Chinese motorcycle industry experienced a significant reduction at the beginning but saw a positive turn in export growth in the second half of the year. From January to November, exports totaled 7.5787 million units, a year-on-year increase of 8.18%.

4.2) The export volume of large-displacement motorcycles grew rapidly, and the average export price of motorcycles showed an increasing trend. In 2023, the average export price of motorcycles was approximately USD 634, with large-displacement motorcycle exports reaching 177,000 units from January to November, a year-on-year increase of about 52%.

4.3) Asia, Africa, and Latin America remain the primary export markets for Chinese motorcycles. Observing the export destinations, China’s motorcycle exports mainly go to Asia, Africa, and Latin America, accounting for 90% of total exports. Until 2017, Asia was the largest export region for Chinese motorcycles. However, it experienced a decline since then, with a notable recovery in recent years, almost reaching the 2017 level.

4.4) The top twenty countries for Chinese motorcycle exports are Mexico, the Philippines, Turkey, Argentina, Togo, Nigeria, Venezuela, Colombia, the United States, Peru, Morocco, Russia, Iran, Guatemala, Ghana, Mozambique, the United Arab Emirates, Myanmar, and Angola. Notably, Mexico, Turkey, Iran, Venezuela, Russia, and Mozambique have shown significant growth, reaching new highs in recent years.

5. Import Growth of Motorcycles Slows Down, Indicating Gradual Deceleration;
6. Continued Improvement in Industry Economic Benefits, Notable Increase in Total Profits;

Secretary-General Zhang Hongbo spoke about the 2023 work situation of the China Chamber of Commerce for Motorcycle and elaborated on the 2024 work plan, financial budget, and other related matters.

“2023 marks the inaugural year of fully implementing the spirit of the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, a pivotal year in bridging the ’14th Five-Year Plan,’ and a crucial year in laying the foundation for building a modern socialist country. It is also the year of a comprehensive economic recovery in China post the pandemic challenge. In 2024, the Motorcycle Chamber of Commerce will continue to focus on industry interests, strengthen member services, support and guide member enterprises, and actively address crucial issues related to the industry’s development, such as resolving urban motorcycle restrictions. The Chamber will fully utilize its platform, organizing various domestic and international exchange activities; it will enhance organizational construction and management, and collaborate with mainstream and new media.”

During the meeting, after careful deliberation, representatives unanimously passed the proposal to add Zhejiang Jinfei Kaida Wheel Co., Ltd. as a director unit of the Chamber of Commerce. They also unanimously approved the investment proposal for “Chongqing Motorcycle Cloud Network Technology Co., Ltd.” and the establishment of the China Chamber of Commerce for Motorcycle Used Motorcycle Trades Workers Committee and the Motorcycle Sports Culture Committee.

In conclusion, President Zuo Zongshen summed up the Chamber’s work situation and industry reform.

“The Chamber must uphold the comprehensive leadership of the Party, focusing on Party construction; prioritize resolving critical industry concerns such as urban motorcycle restrictions and consumption tax; enhance media publicity to showcase the new image of the motorcycle industry; increase communication with local traffic management departments to create a conducive environment for motorcycle usage; vigorously promote transformation, upgrading, and green development, researching key related issues; focus on supply chain and organizational branch construction, expanding the Chamber’s influence. By leveraging organizational and professional advantages, we aim to provide robust support for the industry’s transformation, upgrading, and high-quality development.”

It’s widely acknowledged that in this era of global transformation, unprecedented opportunities and challenges are emerging. Especially under the guidance of the spirit of the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, we are stepping into a new historical stage. This not only signifies the deep implementation of ‘The Belt and Road’ initiative and the strengthening of international cooperation but also injects new vitality into various manufacturing industries, including the motorcycle industry.

From the authoritative industry data reports and achievements of the Chamber in 2023, and the related plans for 2024 discussed at this meeting, we gain a clearer understanding of the new development opportunities and the broad prospects of the two-wheeler industry. MEGA CHINAMOTOR will continue its commitment to serving as a key bridge for the Chinese motorcycle industry’s foray into overseas markets, fully supporting the sustained development and growth of the industry and enterprises.