New funding ups ZXMOTO valuation

Motorcycle startup ZXMOTO has secured an investment from Sequoia China, signaling growing investor confidence that domestic motorcycle makers can evolve from niche manufacturers into global brands as demand for high-performance bikes and exports gathers pace.

While the companies did not disclose financial terms, Cao Bin, founding partner and chairman of Gaoxin Capital, an early investor in ZXMOTO, said in a recent interview that Sequoia China invested 150 million yuan ($22 million), valuing the Chongqing-based company at 6 billion yuan after the financing round.

The investment highlights growing investor confidence in the country's homegrown motorcycle makers as demand for premium bikes rises and manufacturers accelerate their overseas expansion.

ZXMOTO generated revenue of 670 million yuan in 2025 and expects sales to reach between 2 billion yuan and 2.5 billion yuan this year, more than tripling from a year earlier. Monthly deliveries have surpassed 10,000 motorcycles, according to the company.

Following the investment, Sequoia China and ZXMOTO plan to work together on corporate governance, talent development, industry partnerships and international expansion. The latest funding caps a rapid rise for a company that was virtually unknown to mainstream investors until about two years ago.

ZXMOTO secured its first institutional investor in July 2024, when a company managed by Gaoxin Capital became a shareholder. State-backed investors followed soon after. In March, the company brought in two funds affiliated with Zhejiang Venture Capital Group, a State-owned investment platform focused on technology companies.

According to Zhejiang Venture Capital Group, ZXMOTO had invested nearly 70 million yuan in research and development to overcome key technology bottlenecks before the investment.

The Sequoia China deal comes as China's motorcycle market regains momentum. Production of fuel-powered motorcycles rose 11 percent to 18.5 million units in 2025, while sales climbed 12.2 percent to 18.46 million units, according to industry data.

To support its growth, ZXMOTO is ramping up production capacity. The company secured land in Chongqing in June for a new manufacturing facility and signed an agreement the following month to build an integrated research, development and production base with planned annual capacity of 500,000 motorcycles. Once completed, the project is expected to increase the company's total production capacity by three to five times.

The company is stepping up its international expansion. TUV Rheinland China, a testing, inspection and certification services provider, said ZXMOTO's 500RR sport motorcycle has received Whole Vehicle Type Approval certification issued by Luxembourg's Ministry of Transport, allowing the model to be sold across the European Union and other markets recognizing the certification.

ZXMOTO has already entered the United Kingdom market and plans to launch the 500RR there this month, with pre-orders already secured.

At the same time, the company is investing heavily in electrification. It has nearly doubled its 2026 R&D budget to 135 million yuan from 69.6 million yuan a year earlier and plans to launch its first electric motorcycle models in 2027.

wangzhuoqiong@chinadaily.com.cn