ZXMoto leads China’s charge to dominate the global motorbike market

ZXMoto, a two-year-old Chinese motorcycle manufacturer, has surged to the forefront of the global motorbike market, driven by a string of victories and a relentless pursuit of excellence. After clinching victory in the Supersport World Championship earlier this year, orders for ZXMoto's bikes skyrocketed, providing a much-needed boost to the company as it battles for supremacy in the highly competitive Chinese market.

Founded by Zhang Xue, a former mechanic, the company has doubled its workforce since March and operates around-the-clock to meet the soaring demand. The flagship 820RR model, priced at around 43,000 yuan (RM26,000), boasts an impressive 133 horsepower and can accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in just 2.8 seconds – a fraction of the cost of foreign rivals like Kawasaki.

Zhang's dream of turning ZXMoto into a global brand has become a reality, with sales soaring from 25,000 bikes in 2025 to an estimated 100,000 this year, with a target of 200,000 by 2027. However, the company faces a shrinking domestic market, fierce competition, and squeezed profits.

Despite the challenges, ZXMoto remains undeterred, with Zhang expressing confidence in China's manufacturing prowess and the country's growing appetite for motorcycles. The brand hopes to export 40,000 bikes to Europe by 2027 and leverage its heritage, racing history, and brand prestige to compete with Japanese and European rivals.

While the domestic market presents significant challenges, ZXMoto remains optimistic, believing that motorcycles remain emotionally driven purchases that still matter much more than cars. As the company prepares to open a 800-million-yuan factory in late 2027, ZXMoto is well on its way to becoming one of the world's top 10 motorcycle brands by 2034.