City produced around 7.78 million units in first eight months of 2026

In a significant display of international cooperation and industry evolution, the 2026 China International Motorcycle Trade Exhibition in Chongqing served as a pivotal platform for global motorcycle manufacturers and suppliers.

The event, which concluded on Tuesday, underscored the interconnectedness of the global supply chain, leading to numerous collaboration agreements aimed at enhancing innovation and sustainability in motorcycle manufacturing.

Also known as CIMAMotor, the exhibition was held from Saturday to Tuesday at the Chongqing International Expo Center in the city's Liangjiang New Area, and is China's only national-level motorcycle trade show and the world's second-largest.

Since its inception in 2002, the annual exhibition has become a premier platform for industry exchange and collaboration, showcasing the latest innovations in motorcycle technology.

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The opening day of the exhibition saw over 50,000 visitors, with more than 2,500 international professionals from over 100 countries, including the United States, Italy, Germany, France and Japan.

This year's event set new benchmarks with over 100 global motorcycle and electric vehicle brands, 1,120 exhibitors and more than 3,000 vehicles on display, covering the full spectrum of the motorcycle industry's supply chain, the organizing committee said.

The 190,000-square-meter venue features eight indoor halls and an outdoor zone, aligning with industry trends in electrification, intelligence and high-end development.

Exhibits included fuel and electric two-wheelers, three-wheelers, four-wheelers and all-terrain vehicles, covering a wide range of categories such as racing replicas, cruisers, scooters, street bikes, vintage models, rally bikes and off-road vehicles, along with parts and components. The comprehensive display highlighted the entire motorcycle industry's supply chain in a showcase of global manufacturing excellence.

The global spotlight was on the two-day bustling supply chain and trade matchmaking sessions, which attracted around 110 international buyers from key motorcycle markets such as Europe, Southeast Asia, Latin America, Africa and the Middle East. Over 200 leading Chinese motorcycle manufacturers participated in targeted matchmaking sessions, underscoring China's pivotal role in the global motorcycle industry.

One of the attendees, Sacit Ertug, CEO of Ertug Reklam, a motorcycle maker based in Istanbul, Turkiye, was on the hunt for Chinese suppliers that could provide completely knocked down motorcycles, a format essential for his company.

"I discovered the exhibition online and decided to attend, flying nearly half a day to get here," Ertug said.

His company is currently bracing for the electrification of motorcycles, planning to use its own chassis, batteries and locally sourced tires while sourcing the rest of the motorcycle components — such as the engine and electrical hub motor — from China.

His journey to Chongqing was facilitated by Ahmet Palta, a young man fluent in Chinese and a former international student in Beijing.

Palta, Ertug's business partner, is responsible for procurement and supplier development in China for Voltivo Ata Holding, a Turkish company focused on electric motorcycles, battery-swapping infrastructure and digital mobility services. Palta noted that his company operates a team similar to Meituan, a major online service company in China, delivering fast food such as Burger King using their own riders.

Previously reliant on gasoline-powered motorcycles, they are now transitioning to electric, eco-friendly models. Palta assisted Ertug with procurement during his Chongqing visit, and the plan is for Ertug to handle the assembly of the electric motorcycles for Voltivo in their home country, and then sell the electric bikes to the riders.

During an interview with China Daily, Wang Shangqian, managing director of Chongqing Endurance Zhongyi Shock Absorber Liability Co, expressed optimism about the industry's growth.

He noted the company's success in Southeast Asia and North America, and said he's eyeing opportunities in emerging markets like India, Russia and countries involved in the Belt and Road Initiative.

"Nowadays, motorcycles aren't just a means of getting around, they hold significant emotional value as well," Wang said.

His company, with 30 years of experience specializing in motorcycle engine cylinder heads and shock absorbers, is now focusing on promoting USD (Upside-Down) suspension for motorcycles with mid-to-large displacement engines over 250cc. This shift is being driven by strong market demand for performance upgrades and tuning improvements, highlighting a promising growth area in the industry.

Chongqing, celebrated as China's "Motorcycle Capital", has reinforced its status as the nation's largest motorcycle production hub, boasting the country's most comprehensive motorcycle industry system. It leads the nation in both production and exports, Wang Han, deputy director of the Chongqing Economic and Information Commission said on the opening day of the exhibition.

Wang noted that from January to August, the city produced approximately 7.78 million motorcycles, marking a 50.5 percent growth in output. One in every three motorcycles made in China originates from the municipality.

The exhibition featured more than 60 events, including forums, matchmaking sessions, new product launches and competitions, including the Knight of Labor Festival and award ceremony, test ride camps, the 11th "TIMSUN CUP" Gecko Rider International Stunt Championship, and the 2026 China Chongqing "Shineray Cup" Off-Road Motorcycle Grand Prix.

As the world's largest motorcycle producer and market, China is witnessing rapid technological development in the industry, with Chinese products becoming more high-end and intelligent.

Chongqing's comprehensive motorcycle production capacity is supported by 51 large-scale manufacturers and over 410 parts suppliers, boasting an annual production capacity of 10 million vehicles and 20 million engines.

Last year alone, the city produced approximately 7.86 million motorcycles, accounting for 35.5 percent of China's total motorcycle production. Statistics show that one in every three exported motorcycles is made in Chongqing, and five of the country's top 10 motorcycle exporters are based in Chongqing.

The "Chongqing Motorcycle One-Hour Industrial Circle", a new concept of a motorcycle industry cluster, was recognized at the 2026 Summer Davos Forum in June by Premier Li Qiang, alongside the Yangtze River Delta Electronics Information One-Hour Innovation Circle and the Shenzhen Robotics Half-Hour Supporting Circle as representative examples of specialized industrial clusters with Chinese characteristics.

The one-hour industrial circle means within a one-hour drive from Chongqing's central urban area, nearly all core components of motorcycles can be locally procured, prototyped and supplied, underscoring the region's comprehensive industrial capabilities.

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Chongqing is also regarded as the most motorcycle-friendly city in the country. It is the only megacity in China without a blanket ban on motorcycles, making it a haven for motorcyclists. Registered motorcycles can access most regular urban roads in the central area, though some districts have time-based restrictions, and they are prohibited on inner-ring expressways, airport expressways and highways.

Tourists from around the world have been embracing a quirky new trend called the "Motorcycle Landing Visa", a unique cultural and tourism experience in Chongqing. It involves capturing the city's stunning night views through motorcycle nightscape photography. These 15 to 30-second videos, complete with iconic gestures and custom soundtracks, serve as a distinctive souvenir of Chongqing's vibrant nightlife, reminiscent of a Chinese version of the movie franchise Fast and Furious.

The city's unique ecosystem integrates industry, culture and governance, allowing both traditional giants like Zonsen Group and emerging brands like Zxmoto to thrive. Earlier this year, Zxmoto clinched a historic victory in the Portuguese leg of the 2026 FIM Supersport World Championship, marking the first win for a Chinese manufacturer in the Supersport class. As of mid-June, the team had secured its sixth win in the 2026 World Superbike Championship season.

Contact the writers at dengrui@chinadaily.com.cn