In 2024, China exported 36.76 million motorcycles, accounting for 55% of the total motorcycle sales in the world automobile world

The Zhitong Finance App learned that according to customs data, in 2024, China's motorcycle exports reached 36.76 million units, accounting for 55% of the world's total motorcycle sales. Among them, fuel motorcycle exports reached 14.5 million units, accounting for 22% of the world's total motorcycles, and electric motorcycles accounting for 33% of the world's total. Cui Dongshu, Secretary General of the Passenger Transport Federation Branch, said that currently, looking at the motorcycle industry's full competition and industry progress, it has brought strong global competitiveness made in China and promoted the superior position of Chinese-made motorcycles in the world.

Cui Dongshu pointed out that in 2024, China's exports of 6.41 million vehicles accounted for 7% of the world's total automobile sales, far lower than the 55% share of overall motorcycles and the 22% share of fuel-only motorcycles. Looking at motorcycles, China's automobile exports will have huge and full international competitiveness. As an automobile industry that integrates the comprehensive capabilities of the Chinese manufacturing industry, in the future, Chinese automobiles should surpass the scale of 10 million in terms of world exports, and even the comprehensive potential for overseas manufacturing.

1. The overall pattern of the world motorcycle market

Total global motorcycle sales in China according to DEPSEEK, because the DEPSEEK version only has data up to 2022.

According to overseas data, in 2023, global motorcycle sales reached a record high of 62.6 million units, an increase of 7% over the previous year, and maintained positive growth for three consecutive years. In 2024, global motorcycle sales ushered in a historic breakthrough, reaching the 67 million mark.

According to Statista data, India sold 17.54 million motorcycles in 2023, making it the world's largest motorcycle market with 6.24 million units, making Indonesia the second largest market in the region; in addition to countries such as Vietnam, Thailand, and the Philippines, the total sales volume of these 11 countries was 34.19 million units. The number of motorcycles in sub-Saharan Africa increased from 5 million in 2010 to 27 million in 2022, an increase of 440%. The American motorcycle market has grown moderately in recent years. Total sales volume increased from 3.23 million units in 2019 to 5.4 million units in 2024, with a CAGR of 6.3%, with an average annual sales volume of 600,000 to 800,000 vehicles in the North American market, which is relatively stable. In 2019, the European motorcycle market grew 7.9% to 1.7 million units. In 2023, the European motorcycle market achieved significant growth, with sales reaching 2.56 million units, an increase of 24.2% over the previous year. In 2022, due to external factors, the Russian motorcycle market sales volume is estimated at 17,000 units. In 2023, that number increased to more than 20,000 vehicles. The South American motorcycle market has shown a growth trend in the past few years, from 3.7 million units in 2012 to 5.2 million units in 2021. The unit sales volume of motorcycles is expected to reach 4.01 million units in 2024.

2. The export performance of Chinese motorcycles is very strong

According to customs data, Chinese motorcycles have contributed greatly to the world. Starting in 2016, China's motorcycle exports reached 16 million units, reaching 36.76 million units in 2024, accounting for 55% of the total global sales volume of motorcycles. Among them, exports of internal combustion engine motorcycles have reached 14.5 million units in 2024, accounting for 22% of total global motorcycle sales. This is the contribution of Chinese motorcycle exports to the world, and fuel motorcycles have also performed extremely well.

In 2024, exports of electric motorcycles and scooters reached 22 million units, accounting for 33% of the world. Therefore, the contribution of Chinese motorcycle exports to the world should be very high, which means that the performance of Chinese motorcycles in the world should be far superior to our own feelings. In 2024, motorcycle exports were close to US$14.5 billion, a strong performance. Some people say that vicious domestic motorcycle competition has brought about the collapse of the global motorcycle market, but judging from the export volume, China's internal combustion engine motorcycle exports account for 22% of the world's total sales. If electric motorcycles are added, China's motorcycle export performance should be extremely strong.

3. Characteristics of Japanese motorcycles in the world

Japan exports very few motorcycles; they are mainly produced overseas. Japan's motorcycle exports in recent years peaked at 920,000 units in 2017, and Japanese motorcycles dominate the world mainly through overseas production. I can't tell you how many Japanese brand motorcycles are made in China; they were still very good back then. Currently, the exports and domestic sales of Shin-Ozu Honda and Wuyang Honda total about 1.5 million units. Travel restrictions in major domestic cities in recent years have led to a gradual shift in Japanese motorcycles from production in China to production in Southeast Asia. Since Japanese cars are very powerful in Southeast Asia, Honda motorcycles and Honda cars are developing very well in symbiosis.

4. China's domestic motorcycle market is developing by leaps and bounds

Many people in our big city have no idea about motorcycles. The living environment for motorbikes in big cities is extremely difficult. I also have an E book. Last century, there were no restrictions on traveling in Tianjin. It felt great to ride a broken motorcycle, but it always needed to be repaired, and the quality of the accessories wasn't good enough. But I haven't ridden for almost 20 years.

Compared to the automobile market, the motorcycle market is insignificant. Before 2020, there were only about 5 million motorcycles in China, and the number of cars sold was 6 times that of motorcycles. It is likely that many rural motorcycles will not be licensed. With the launch of electric motorcycle products and the rise of takeout, motorcycles exploded to 11.3 million units in 2022, then freedom of travel resumed, and motorcycles declined in 2023.

5. Fierce competition among motorcycles fosters strong competitiveness

In 2024, China exported 36.76 million motorcycles, surging by 10 million units. The performance was very strong. Among them, the number of fuel-fueled motorcycles increased from 11.41 million to 14.5 million in 2023, an increase of 3.1 million units, and the unit price remained above 600 US dollars.

China's electric motorcycles and bicycles grew to 22.13 million units, an increase of 7.08 million units, and the average price dropped to 263 US dollars, with excellent performance.

The chart above shows export statistics by export volume. China's motorcycle export area: mainly for the Asian, African and Latin American markets. The Latin American market's share of China's motorcycle exports increased from 28% in 2015 to 38% in 2024, making it the largest market for Chinese motorcycle exports. Next is Asia and Africa. Countries such as Turkey, Venezuela, and Russia have shown impressive growth rates in the past five years. However, Europe and America account for a relatively small share, only 12% in total.

6. The future export scale of Chinese automobiles should exceed 10 million vehicles

Among China's exports of various durable consumer goods, it should be said that automobiles have relatively the greatest potential. As the largest household consumer goods, the consumption scale of automobiles is also relatively large. The world sells 90 million cars a year. However, the annual sales volume of motorcycles in the world is 70 million units, so automobiles should actually be the most important consumer goods on the scale of the world market. Meanwhile, China's export performance is excellent in bulk durable consumer goods. For example, China's annual exports of mobile phones are always around 900 million units, and the annual export of laptop computers is on a scale of 140 million units.

The annual export of tablets is 110 million units, the peak annual export of tablets is 140 million units, while the annual export of televisions is also on the scale of 110 million units, the annual export of refrigerators is on the scale of 80 million units, the annual export of air conditioners is on the scale of 60 million units, 47 million bicycles, and 36 million motorcycles. However, our automobile exports were only 1 million units. Currently, the export of pure electric passenger vehicles is 1.65 million units. In 2024, our exports of electric motorcycles and bicycles are on the scale of 22 million units. The difference between the two is an order of magnitude more than ten times, proving that Chinese automobiles still have huge potential for development in electrified exports. Furthermore, we believe that looking at the future development of Chinese automobiles, as a durable consumer product, automobile export development should be able to achieve a large-scale breakthrough and reach an export scale of 10 million or more. I feel that it has full potential.