CFMOTO (Chinese: 春风; commonly associated with 春风动力, Chunfeng Power) manufactures motorcycles, ATVs, side-by-side vehicles, engines and electric mobility products 1. Its shares have been publicly traded on the Shanghai Stock Exchange since 2017 under the stock code 603129 12. The company has developed into a vertically integrated powersports manufacturer with independent capabilities in motorcycle, engine, chassis and vehicle development 3. This international expansion has established it as one of the most prominent Chinese brands in the global powersports industry 15.

Key facts

The exact product range and dealer network vary by market, though current global materials describe a presence in over 100 countries and regions 15.

Origins and early development

CFMOTO traces its history to February 1989, when a father-and-son team established a small motorcycle-parts workshop in Wenzhou, China 3. This workshop became the foundation for what would eventually become Zhejiang CFMOTO Power. An early strategic decision involved developing proprietary engine technology rather than remaining solely a component manufacturer. In September 1997, the company successfully developed its first liquid-cooled engine, marking a significant milestone in its transition toward independent powertrain development 4.

In May 1998, CFMOTO released its first complete two-wheeled vehicle 3. This signalled a shift in the business model from supplying components to developing and selling complete vehicles under its own brand.

Expansion into powersports

During the early 2000s, CFMOTO expanded into larger-displacement engines and recreational vehicles. The company identifies 2005 as the year it launched its first ATV, which subsequently became a critical component of its international business 3. This off-road expertise proved particularly important for establishing the brand in markets such as Europe and North America.

International expansion accelerated in 2007 with the establishment of CFMOTO Powersports in the United States, the company’s first overseas subsidiary 5. This step was pivotal in transforming CFMOTO from a domestic Chinese manufacturer into an international powersports company.

Strategic partnerships and public listing

In June 2013, CFMOTO became KTM’s exclusive distributor in China and a CKD manufacturing partner 6. This relationship was significant as KTM was already an established European performance-motorcycle manufacturer, while CFMOTO was rapidly developing its own engineering capabilities. The partnership later deepened through joint-venture activities and manufacturing cooperation.

CFMOTO was listed on the Shanghai Stock Exchange in August 2017 under the abbreviation 春风动力 and stock code 603129 12. The listing provided capital to support expanded motorcycle, off-road and international operations.

Between 2018 and 2020, the relationship with KTM developed substantially. The partners established a joint venture and manufacturing operations in Hangzhou, with the CFMOTO-KTMR2R joint factory beginning production in 2020 210. This collaboration provided CFMOTO with exposure to high-performance motorcycle engineering while offering KTM manufacturing capacity and market access in China.

Electrification and motorsport

In December 2020, CFMOTO introduced ZEEHO, an electric-mobility brand focused on urban electric two-wheelers 8. This marked a strategic transition toward electrification alongside traditional gasoline-powered products. Concurrently, the company entered the Moto3 category of the MotoGP World Championship in 2021, later expanding participation to include Moto2 9.

In 2023, CFMOTO established CFMOTO Mexico Power with manufacturing operations in Monterrey, Mexico 14. That same year, CFMOTO and Yamaha agreed to establish a joint venture in Zhuzhou, China, named ZHUZHOU CF YAMAHA MOTOR CO., LTD. (ZCYM).

The year 2024 brought several major milestones. Cumulative ATV production surpassed one million vehicles 3. In motorsport, the partnership with the Spanish Aspar Team yielded a historic triple championship in Moto3, winning the Riders’, Teams’ and Manufacturers’ titles 9. Additionally, CFMOTO completed the acquisition of GOES, a European off-road vehicle brand, to strengthen its position in the international off-road market.

Looking towards 2025 and 2026, CFMOTO has increasingly emphasised technology, performance and premium positioning over price competition. The company reported strong international expansion in 2025 alongside continued R&D investment and production capacity growth 15. In 2026, a long-term strategic partnership with Brembo regarding motorcycle performance and braking technology was announced, further indicating a strategy of collaborating with established international suppliers for higher-end products.

CFMOTO operates as a comprehensive powersports company rather than solely a motorcycle manufacturer. Its vertical integration allows for the development of proprietary platforms covering R&D, manufacturing and sales of complete vehicles and core components 3.

Motorcycles

The company produces motorcycles across multiple categories, including naked/street, sport, adventure/touring, classic/retro, cruiser, scooter, small-displacement and large-displacement performance models. Current international families include MT, SR, CL, NK, SC, PAPIO and TR-G, although availability varies by country 7.

Off-road vehicles

Off-road vehicles represent one of CFMOTO’s historical strengths. The principal product families include:

• CFORCE: ATV range
• UFORCE: Utility-oriented side-by-side range
• ZFORCE: Sport/recreational side-by-side range 7

The company has emphasised this segment for more than two decades, with the CFORCE range becoming central to its international identity.

Engines and components

CFMOTO develops and manufactures core components including motorcycle and off-road vehicle engines, frames, chassis components and other powertrain-related parts. This capability distinguishes it from pure assembly manufacturers 3.

Electric mobility

Through the ZEEHO brand, CFMOTO has expanded into electric motorcycles and urban mobility. ZEEHO is positioned separately from the traditional CFMOTO marque but remains part of the broader corporate ecosystem 8.

MT Series

The MT family focuses on naked and street performance, emphasising aggressive styling, road performance and everyday usability.

SR Series

The SR family represents the company’s sport and performance motorcycles. These models are central to establishing CFMOTO as a serious performance brand rather than merely a value-oriented manufacturer.

CL Series

The CL family targets the classic and cruiser-inspired segments. Models such as the 450CL-C combine modern liquid-cooled parallel-twin engines and electronic features with retro styling cues 11.

NK Series

The NK designation is historically associated with naked motorcycles and remains one of CFMOTO’s most recognisable street-bike families.

Adventure family

CFMOTO has developed a substantial presence in the adventure-touring category, particularly with the MT adventure range. These motorcycles cater to riders requiring long-distance road capability combined with off-road or mixed-surface performance.

TR-G

The TR-G family comprises large touring motorcycles. The 1250TR-G incorporates advanced features such as cruise control, quickshifters, electronically supported rider systems, radar-based assistance and TFT displays, demonstrating the brand’s entry into technologically sophisticated touring segments 7.

KTM

The relationship with KTM began commercially in 2013 when CFMOTO became the exclusive Chinese distributor and CKD partner 6. It subsequently evolved into deeper industrial cooperation and joint manufacturing. CFMOTO is not simply a rebadged KTM entity; it maintains its own brand, product development organisation and engineering programmes. However, cooperation involves technology sharing and joint development, notably visible in motorcycles utilising technology associated with KTM’s LC8c platform. For CFMOTO, this provides access to European performance expertise; for KTM, it offers manufacturing capacity and Chinese market access 10.

Yamaha

In September 2023, CFMOTO and Yamaha announced the establishment of ZHUZHOU CF YAMAHA MOTOR CO., LTD. (ZCYM) in Zhuzhou, China. This demonstrates CFMOTO’s ability to maintain relationships with multiple major international manufacturers while pursuing an independent brand strategy.

Brembo

In 2026, CFMOTO announced a long-term strategic partnership with Brembo concerning motorcycle performance and braking technology, reinforcing its commitment to working with established international suppliers for premium products.

CFMOTO places significant emphasis on vertical integration and independent R&D. Its global headquarters in Hangzhou encompasses approximately 280,000 square metres across two campuses, manufacturing engines, off-road vehicles, motorcycles and electric vehicles 15.

Internationally, the company maintains manufacturing and operational presences in China, Thailand, Mexico, Europe, North America and Southeast Asia 1314. Facilities include branches, plants and R&D centres outside mainland China to support global operations 15.

Development strategy has shifted from manufacturing simple motorcycles to creating sophisticated proprietary platforms. Key technological areas include liquid-cooled DOHC engines, electronic fuel injection, ride-by-wire systems, traction control, ABS, quickshifters, cruise control, TFT instrumentation, connected functions, radar-assisted rider systems and advanced chassis development 3.

A notable example of newer-generation engineering is the 675 three-cylinder engine platform, introduced as an internally developed middleweight performance engine. In June 2026, the V4 SR-RR achieved a claimed 315.82 km/h Chinese motorcycle speed record, illustrating the company’s aggressive pursuit of the high-performance segment 3.

Motorsport is integral to CFMOTO’s brand strategy, operating under the philosophy of “race to develop, race to promote”.

MotoGP

CFMOTO entered Moto3 in 2021 and later expanded to Moto2 9. In 2024, the partnership with Aspar Team secured all three Moto3 championships: Riders’, Teams’ and Manufacturers’. The partnership has been extended through 2031, with the company reporting over 40 podium finishes and 21 victories across Moto2 and Moto3 since 2024.

Rally raid

The CFMOTO Thunder Racing Team competes in international rally-raid events, including the Dakar Rally and World Rally-Raid Championship. This programme primarily showcases the durability and performance of CFMOTO’s off-road vehicles in extreme conditions.

CFMOTO’s international brand philosophy is summarised as “Determined. Progressive. More Fun.” The vision is to become a premium global powersports brand, making exploration more accessible and enjoyable 15. This represents a departure from historical perceptions of Chinese manufacturers, aiming instead to be viewed as a technology-driven international brand.

Design has become a strategic differentiator. The company has received international recognition including the Red Dot Design Award, iF Design Award and IDEA Design Award 3. Newer models feature distinctive styling, from the sharp bodywork of the MT and SR families to the deliberate retro aesthetics of the CL series, rather than replicating traditional Japanese or European designs.

CFMOTO has transformed from a Chinese exporter into a global powersports brand with products reaching more than 100 countries and regions via over 7,000 dealers 15. Key markets include Europe, North America, Latin America, Australia, New Zealand, Southeast Asia, other Asian markets and Africa. Subsidiaries, distribution networks, factories and R&D operations have been established outside mainland China to support this expansion 1314.

Within China, CFMOTO is considered one of the most internationally ambitious manufacturers. Unlike predecessors that competed primarily on cost, CFMOTO focuses on larger displacements, proprietary engines, premium styling, international distribution, motorsport, global partnerships, advanced electronics and electric mobility. This approach has allowed entry into segments historically dominated by Japanese and European marques.

Historically, older models were viewed as affordable alternatives with concerns regarding durability, parts availability and resale value. Over the last decade, increased R&D investment, sophisticated engines, international partnerships, expanded dealer networks and motorsport participation have addressed these issues 15. While perceptions vary by market depending on local dealer quality and after-sales service, the use of globally recognised suppliers and racing success have reinforced premium ambitions.

CFMOTO is frequently compared to brands such as Yamaha, Kawasaki, Honda, Suzuki, KTM, BMW Motorrad, Triumph, Ducati and Royal Enfield. While historically competitive on equipment levels and price, newer models increasingly compete on technology, styling and performance. Relationships with KTM and Brembo, alongside MotoGP participation, aim to strengthen credibility in higher-performance segments.

CFMOTO functions as a corporate group and powersports ecosystem comprising:

• CFMOTO: Primary global powersports brand for motorcycles and off-road vehicles.
• ZEEHO: Electric-mobility brand focused on electric two-wheelers 8.
• GOES: European off-road brand acquired in 2024, maintained with separate positioning to strengthen the global off-road portfolio.

CFMOTO exemplifies China’s transition from high-volume manufacturing to internationally recognised consumer brands in powersports. Its evolution spans four stages: component manufacturing (1989 onwards), independent vehicle manufacturing (1990s–2000s), international expansion (2000s–2010s) and emergence as a global premium brand (2020s) characterised by advanced motorcycles, global R&D, motorsport and electrification 15.

As of 2026, CFMOTO is a large international powersports company with significant operations in motorcycles and off-road vehicles, a growing electric-mobility business, international manufacturing and partnerships with major European and Japanese companies. Its strategic direction encompasses globalisation, premiumisation, technology, electrification and motorsport 3.

1. CFMoto – Wikipedia
2. CFMoto – Wikipedia
3. Company Overview – CFMOTO Global
4. Company Overview – CFMOTO Global
5. Company Overview – CFMOTO Global
6. Company Overview – CFMOTO Global
7. CFMoto – Wikipedia
8. CFMoto – Wikipedia
9. CFMoto – Wikipedia
10. About CFMOTO
11. CFMoto – Wikipedia
12. CFMoto – Wikipedia
13. Where Is CFMOTO Made and Who Owns Them? | ATVs, UTVs, XTVs, Motorcycles & Dirt Bikes | Off-Road Vehicle Dealer in Oakville and Barrie, ON | Maxxim Motorsports
14. Where Is CFMOTO Made and Who Owns Them? | ATVs, UTVs, XTVs, Motorcycles & Dirt Bikes | Off-Road Vehicle Dealer in Oakville and Barrie, ON | Maxxim Motorsports
15. Company Overview – CFMOTO Global