China’s domestic motorcycle market has suffered a downturn in recent years due to the banning of motorcycles in many Chinese urban centres. China’s domestic motorcycle sales reached a high of around 19,000,000 units in 2009 and then suffered gradual decreases for 4 consecutive years.
In 2013, the market decreased by 5.73% from 2012 to 13,880,000 units, 26.94% less than 2009.[5] Domestic sales decreased due to ban on motorcycles in urban centres, the national economic transformation and the rural market downturn.
In Chinese rural areas, motorcycles are used for a variety of purposes, including personal transportation, passenger vehicles, and cargo transportation. Improved living standard in these areas in recent years has led to the replacement of motorcycles with mini-cars and e-bikes.