On September 19th, the 2025 China International Motorcycle Expo opened at the Chongqing International Expo Center. A series of new industrial trends emerging from host city Chongqing are encouraging.

In the first half of this year, Chongqing's motorcycle production surged 23.1% year-on-year to 3.622 million units, accounting for nearly a quarter of national production. Output value reached 53.602 billion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 27.9%, contributing 33.5% to the city's industrial output growth. Following the strategic integration of Zongshen and Loncin, production exceeded 1.6 million units in the first half of the year, not only ranking first in China but also among the top ten globally.

At the same time, seven of the top ten leading electric motorcycle companies in China—Yadi, Aima, Tailing, Luyuan, and Xiaodao—have established roots in Chongqing, forming an industrial cluster in the western region of Chongqing.

What has Chongqing done right behind the positive development of its motorcycle industry? Looking ahead, facing increasingly fierce and homogenized competition, has Chongqing, the "Motorcycle Capital of China," accumulated sufficient strength to reach new heights of value? "Dual Engine" Acceleration
On September 16th, at the Aima Electric Vehicle Production Base in the Tongliang High-tech Zone, robotic arms performed welding and assembly with millimeter-level precision on highly automated production lines, while automated guided vehicles (AGVs) autonomously shuttled between workstations, transporting materials. Thousands of brand-new, stylish electric motorcycles roll off the assembly line daily, destined for national and even global markets.
This bustling and efficient scene epitomizes Chongqing's motorcycle industry entering a new era and experiencing rapid development.
In just a few years, electric vehicle industrial bases with annual output values ​​exceeding tens of billions of yuan have sprung up in Yongchuan, Jiangjin, Tongliang, Dazu, and other regions, making Chongqing the "fourth pole" of China's electric vehicle manufacturing.
A representative from the Municipal Economic and Information Commission stated that last year, the city's electric vehicle production reached 3 million units, and is expected to reach 15 million by 2027, with electric motorcycles accounting for over 80%. Chongqing will also become a pivotal manufacturing and innovation center in the global electric vehicle industry chain.
Who "directed" this industrial miracle? The answer lies in the combined efforts of the market and the government.
Chongqing boasts the most comprehensive motorcycle supply chain in the country, with over 400 established motorcycle supply companies, and over 90% of them are local suppliers. This robust and flexible supply chain includes not only companies providing conventional components like frames, panels, and instrument panels, but also a number of "hidden champions" that have achieved pinnacle excellence in specific niche areas: Yujiang Die-Cast's engine blocks boast the world's largest market share; Jieli's wheels are adopted by numerous high-end domestic and international brands; and Akita's gears boast internationally advanced precision.
It is precisely this thriving "tree" of the local motorcycle industry that has attracted such "golden phoenixes" as Yadea and Aima.
At the same time, precise policy guidance has also played a crucial role.
A representative from the Municipal Commission of Economy and Information Technology stated that the release of the "Chongqing Intelligent Connected Electric Vehicle Industry Development Action Plan (2025-2027)" has charted the course for the industry's electrification and intelligent transformation and provided businesses with stable prospects. With over 20 cities nationwide gradually lifting restrictions on motorcycles, Chongqing's motorcycle industry has gained a broader domestic demand market. In the fuel-powered motorcycle sector, after the strategic merger of two local giants, Zongshen and Loncin, at the end of last year, their combined strength is unmatched in the Chinese market and they have a significant voice on the global stage. They are now fully committed to the mid-to-large displacement, high-end market, which features higher technological content and greater brand value.

Data from the Municipal Commission of Economy and Information Technology shows that in the first half of this year, the city's production of mid-to-large displacement, high-end motorcycles surged 67% year-on-year. High-end domestic brands, such as Loncin's "VOGE," have not only won a large following in the domestic market but have also established a firm foothold in mature markets such as Europe.

Chongqing's motorcycle companies are also significantly accelerating their globalization efforts. In the first half of this year, Chongqing's motorcycle exports reached 13.361 billion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 48.4%.

Among the top ten motorcycle exporters nationwide, five Chongqing companies—Loncin, Zongshen, Yinxiang, Qianli Technology, and Aerospace Bashan—are prominently listed.

With both fuel-powered and electric engines, Chongqing's motorcycle industry is poised for unprecedented development. Potential to be tapped
However, "large" in scale does not necessarily equate to "strong" in value. Chongqing's path to success, from a "manufacturing highland" to a true "brand peak" and "value peak," still holds untapped potential.
Last year, Yadi's Yongchuan base produced 1.25 million electric vehicles, generating a production value of 3.2 billion yuan, with an average price of 2,500 yuan per unit.
In fact, the vast majority of electric motorcycles currently produced in Chongqing are mid- to low-end, high-volume models priced under 5,000 yuan.
"We can't simply be content with producing means of transportation; we must also consider how to lead consumer trends and create higher brand value." An industry observer compared Chongqing's current situation with Ninebot, a company in the Xiaomi ecosystem. Ninebot's main products range from 4,000 to 7,000 yuan, and its revenue is expected to grow by over 70% year-on-year in 2024, far exceeding the industry average.
The reason for this isn't the largest production volume, but rather the precise way its products meet the demands of young consumers for intelligence, personalization, and social features. "Today's young people buy electric vehicles not just for transportation, but also for a 'smart device,' an expression of their lifestyle."

Looking at the industry chain, the head of a local company admitted to reporters that some key links in Chongqing's motorcycle supply chain still face bottlenecks.

For example, local supply capacity for electronic fuel injection (EFI) systems, which determine the performance and environmental friendliness of mid- and large-displacement motorcycles, active safety technologies such as ABS, which ensure riding safety, and high-quality tires remains insufficient. The local supply rate for high-end models is 60%, with much reliance on imports or out-of-province supplies.

In the electric vehicle sector, the western Chongqing electric motorcycle industry cluster currently lacks a leading local power battery company or a professional electric vehicle tire manufacturer. The local supply rate for motors and electronic control systems is less than half.

The R&D director of an entire vehicle manufacturer stated that this impacts procurement costs and supply chain security, and also limits the company's ability to collaborate and innovate on underlying technologies, making it difficult for the company to deeply integrate with suppliers and engage in joint development.

In terms of industrial collaboration, the districts of western Chongqing have greatly stimulated the vitality of local governments through a "business investment competition," achieving rapid industrial agglomeration in a short period of time. However, as the industry expands, this "fighting on its own" model needs to be optimized. For example, public service platforms like spraying centers and testing centers could be jointly built and shared by districts and counties.

Elevating New Capacity

Facing numerous challenges on the motorcycle industry's path to success, Chongqing's government, industry, academia, and research sectors have demonstrated unprecedented consensus and determination.

To address the shortcomings of the industry chain, Chongqing's approach is "precision drip irrigation" and "targeted attraction and cultivation." The "Action Plan" explicitly calls for attracting and cultivating domestic power battery giants, striving to fill the gaps in the power battery industry in western Chongqing as quickly as possible. Furthermore, core supporting projects such as motors, electronic controls, and high-end molds will be accelerated through a case-by-case approach to attract and cultivate them. "We must not only 'bring in' but also 'cultivate' it," according to a representative from the Yongchuan District Economic and Information Technology Commission. The district is actively exploring a new mechanism for the transformation of scientific and technological achievements: a three-in-one "industrial research + industrial fund + industrial park." The government, leading enterprises, and universities will jointly establish an industrial research institute to conduct forward-looking technological research; a special industrial fund will be established to provide financial support to promising small and medium-sized technology companies and their R&D results; and physical space and application scenarios will be provided to enable the rapid transformation and industrialization of innovative achievements within the park.

This model aims to promote joint research between industry, academia, and research, seamlessly integrating the innovation and industrial chains.

If strengthening core components is like strengthening the "body," then digital transformation is like reshaping the "soul." In this regard, Chongqing is simultaneously advancing an ambitious plan: Zongshen Group is spearheading the development of an "industry brain" for fuel-powered motorcycles, while the Smart Electric Vehicle Industry Global Development Alliance is building an "industry brain" for electric vehicles.

What exactly are these two "brains"? Deng Sen, project leader at China Mobile's Internet of Things Company, explained that on the production side, industrial Internet technology will enable intelligent factory management, improving production efficiency and product quality. On the consumer side, by installing a Beidou chip in every motorcycle, users can be provided with a rich array of in-vehicle services, including precise navigation, emergency rescue, stolen vehicle tracking, and social sharing, transforming motorcycles from isolated modes of transportation into connected smart devices. On the government side, by integrating and analyzing massive amounts of vehicle driving data and road infrastructure data, unprecedented digital tools can be provided for modern urban governance.

For example, "For example, the nighttime 'street blasting' of motorcycles, a practice so detested by citizens, used to be difficult to collect evidence and manage. In the future, the industrial brain will enable accurate identification of speeding and noisy vehicles and real-time recording of their movements, providing irrefutable evidence for law enforcement," Deng Sen said.

To achieve this vision, Deng Sen suggested that the government implement a combination of subsidies and policies to encourage electric vehicles to be equipped with Beidou modules at the factory. "This will not only greatly enhance the intelligence of products but also bring massive amounts of connected vehicle data into our own hands, establishing Chongqing as a national and even global benchmark for large-scale Beidou applications."
Faced with the challenge of regional coordinated development, the districts of western Chongqing are shifting from "back-to-back" collaboration to "face-to-face" collaboration. A series of initiatives to break down administrative barriers and promote the free flow of factors are being formulated and implemented, including establishing industry alliances, sharing supply chain resources, and coordinating investment promotion conferences. The goal is singular: to transform the western Chongqing region into an organic whole with a rational division of labor, complementary strengths, and a unified brand. Together, we will polish the image of "Chongqing Motorcycle Capital" and lay the foundation for its status as a "World Motorcycle Capital."
"We recommend that the national and Chongqing municipal governments' 15th Five-Year Plans further elevate the motorcycle industry's capabilities, implementing systematic top-level design and resource allocation in line with the goal of building a national-level advanced manufacturing cluster," said Li Yao, Chairman of Loncin General Motors. Zuo Zongshen, Chairman of the Zongshen Group, suggested expanding the China International Motorcycle Expo's event functions. Taking into account the city's topographical characteristics, and in collaboration with the State General Administration of Sport, professional events such as the China Motorcycle Road Race and the China Motorcycle Cross-Country Championship could be held during the expo to promote the alignment of Chinese motorcycle sport with international standards. Cultural and tourism facilities such as motorcycle campsites and inns could also be developed in scenic areas, resorts, and cultural and leisure districts. During the expo, motorcycle concerts, motorcycle carnivals, and other carnival events could also be held. Furthermore, motorcycle consumption coupons could be issued, drawing on policies to promote low-altitude economic consumption. This would help propel the city from a "manufacturing hub" to a "global motorcycle cultural and tourism hub." (New Chongqing - Chongqing Daily reporter Bai Lin)