Who owns CFMoto and where are their motorcycles built? – Jalopnik

Chinese automakers like BYD and Geely are aiming for global dominance, as evidenced by the onslaught of Chinese cars in Europe. Another Chinese brand that is slowly starting to grow in popularity worldwide is motorcycle and ATV manufacturer CFMoto. Based in Hangzhou, China, CFMoto is a subsidiary of the Chinese company Zhejiang Chunfeng Power Co., founded by Lai Guoqiang. CFMoto is gearing up to increase market share in the US, although it currently has no factory in the country. Currently, the company produces its vehicles in three locations: China, Thailand and Mexico.

CFMoto started producing spare parts for motorcycles in 1989. In the 1990s, the company expanded its activities to include the production of scooters and motorcycles. Over the years, and thanks to partnerships with global motorcycle giants like KTM, CFMoto has shed its image as simply a cheap alternative and has become one that can compete with some of the industry’s leading manufacturers.

CFMoto’s American journey began more than two decades ago when it introduced ATVs and side-by-sides in 2002. In 2022, the company launched a new line of motorcycles in the US, and the company now has more than 300 dealers in the United States. CFMoto currently sells a range of sport, adventure and nude motorcycles, as well as a cool mini bike called the Papio. The company seems to be taking its American adventure seriously and has opened a new headquarters in Minnesota in early 2024. The facility houses a design and engineering studio to serve the US market and reportedly has plans for further expansion.

CFMoto’s Hangzhou facility in China contains multiple factories and has an annual production capacity of 400,000 two-wheelers, including bicycles built by electric motorcycle brand Zeeho, KTM models manufactured for the Chinese domestic market, and CFMoto motorcycles. The factory also has the capacity to produce 200,000 ATVs and side-by-sides each year.

Established in 2021, the company’s production facility in Thailand has a production capacity of 40,000 models and was CFMoto’s first factory outside China. More recently, CFMoto opened its first manufacturing facility in North America to strengthen its entry into the region’s motorcycle and ATV markets. The factory, located in Apodaca, Nuevo León, Mexico, has a production capacity of 100,000 units and the company has reportedly invested $46 million in the project. In addition to its manufacturing facilities, CFMoto also has four research and development centers worldwide and holds more than 1,000 patents, underscoring its focus on innovation.

Chinese EVs have proven to be better than Western competitors, thanks to their ingenious systems and leading technologies, and CFMoto appears to be following the same path with motorcycles and ATVs.