China's Export of Motorcycle and Scooter Reaches $6.5 Billion in 2023

China Motorcycle and Scooter Exports

In 2023, exports of motorcycles and scooters from China expanded markedly to 10M units, surging by 10% compared with the previous year's figure. In general, exports continue to indicate modest growth. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2018 with an increase of 111%. Over the period under review, the exports reached the peak figure at 11M units in 2021; however, from 2022 to 2023, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, motorcycle and scooter exports reached $6.5B (IndexBox estimates) in 2023. Overall, total exports indicated a moderate increase from 2013 to 2023: its value increased at an average annual rate of +3.3% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2023 figures, exports increased by +41.1% against 2018 indices. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2021 with an increase of 40% against the previous year. The exports peaked in 2023 and are expected to retain growth in the near future.

Exports by Country

Mexico (1.6M units) was the main destination for motorcycle and scooter exports from China, with a 15% share of total exports. Moreover, motorcycle and scooter exports to Mexico exceeded the volume sent to the second major destination, the Philippines (654K units), twofold. Nigeria (406K units) ranked third in terms of total exports with a 4% share.

From 2013 to 2023, the average annual growth rate of volume to Mexico stood at +14.7%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: the Philippines (+2.8% per year) and Nigeria (-6.7% per year).

In value terms, Mexico ($835M) remains the key foreign market for motorcycles and scooters exports from China, comprising 13% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was held by the Philippines ($326M), with a 5.1% share of total exports. It was followed by Turkey, with a 4.1% share.

From 2013 to 2023, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value to Mexico amounted to +14.0%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: the Philippines (+4.2% per year) and Turkey (+12.1% per year).

Exports by Type

Motorcycles (including mopeds) and cycles; fitted with an auxiliary motor, reciprocating internal combustion piston engine, of cylinder capacity exceeding 50cc but not exceeding 250cc, with or without side-cars; side-cars (9.9M units) was the largest type of motorcycles and scooters exported from China, accounting for a 97% share of total exports. It was followed by motorcycles (including mopeds) and cycles; fitted with an auxiliary motor, reciprocating internal combustion piston engine, of cylinder capacity exceeding 250cc but not exceeding 500cc, with or without side-cars; side-cars (239K units), with a 2.4% share of total exports. Motorcycles (including mopeds) and cycles; fitted with auxiliary motor, reciprocating internal combustion piston engine of cylinder capacity exceeding 500cc but not exceeding 800cc, with or without sidecars; side-cars (62K units) ranked third in terms of total exports with a 0.6% share.

From 2013 to 2023, the average annual growth rate of the volume of motorcycles (including mopeds) and cycles; fitted with an auxiliary motor, reciprocating internal combustion piston engine, of cylinder capacity exceeding 50cc but not exceeding 250cc, with or without side-cars; side-cars exports stood at +1.3%. With regard to the other exported products, the following average annual rates of growth were recorded: motorcycles (including mopeds) and cycles; fitted with an auxiliary motor, reciprocating internal combustion piston engine, of cylinder capacity exceeding 250cc but not exceeding 500cc, with or without side-cars; side-cars (+39.8% per year) and motorcycles (including mopeds) and cycles; fitted with auxiliary motor, reciprocating internal combustion piston engine of cylinder capacity exceeding 500cc but not exceeding 800cc, with or without sidecars; side-cars (+28.8% per year).

In value terms, motorcycles (including mopeds) and cycles; fitted with an auxiliary motor, reciprocating internal combustion piston engine, of cylinder capacity exceeding 50cc but not exceeding 250cc, with or without side-cars; side-cars ($5.7B) remains the largest type of motorcycles and scooters exported from China, comprising 88% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was taken by motorcycles (including mopeds) and cycles; fitted with an auxiliary motor, reciprocating internal combustion piston engine, of cylinder capacity exceeding 250cc but not exceeding 500cc, with or without side-cars; side-cars ($464M), with a 7.2% share of total exports. It was followed by motorcycles (including mopeds) and cycles; fitted with auxiliary motor, reciprocating internal combustion piston engine of cylinder capacity exceeding 500cc but not exceeding 800cc, with or without sidecars; side-cars, with a 4.4% share.

From 2013 to 2023, the average annual growth rate of the value of motorcycles (including mopeds) and cycles; fitted with an auxiliary motor, reciprocating internal combustion piston engine, of cylinder capacity exceeding 50cc but not exceeding 250cc, with or without side-cars; side-cars exports stood at +2.1%. With regard to the other exported products, the following average annual rates of growth were recorded: motorcycles (including mopeds) and cycles; fitted with an auxiliary motor, reciprocating internal combustion piston engine, of cylinder capacity exceeding 250cc but not exceeding 500cc, with or without side-cars; side-cars (+43.1% per year) and motorcycles (including mopeds) and cycles; fitted with auxiliary motor, reciprocating internal combustion piston engine of cylinder capacity exceeding 500cc but not exceeding 800cc, with or without sidecars; side-cars (+31.1% per year).

Export Prices by Country

In 2023, the motorcycle and scooter price stood at $636 per unit (FOB, China), falling by -4.6% against the previous year. Overall, the export price, however, saw a mild increase. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2015 an increase of 97% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the average export prices attained the peak figure at $1.6 thousand per unit in 2016; however, from 2017 to 2023, the export prices failed to regain momentum.

Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Turkey ($826 per unit), while the average price for exports to Myanmar ($444 per unit) was amongst the lowest.

From 2013 to 2023, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was recorded for supplies to Egypt (+4.2%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Market Intelligence Platform