As in the automotive sector, Asians are seeking to manufacture in the Mexican market to export to North America and Latin America.

The motorcycle industry in Mexico expects a "wave" of investments from Chinese companies in the coming months to assemble in the Aztec country, as is happening in the automotive sector, Asians are looking to manufacture in our market to export to North America and Latin America, said Laura González, director of the International Motorcycle Show in Mexico (SIMM).

Although motorcycle imports in Mexico are dominated by Chinese ones and 90% of the units sold are from abroad, the bet is that in the near future this trend will be reversed with local production, since the Mexican market has a growth potential for two-wheeled combustion and electric vehicles.

In addition to Japanese companies such as Honda and BMW that have increased their production and sales of units in Mexico, the Chinese also want a piece of the Mexican market pie and through competitive prices, technology and supply they are betting on demystifying that they are a “bad” product.

In an interview at the Santa Fe Expo of the International Motorcycle Show in Mexico (SIMM), Laura González said that, just as is happening in the car industry, the Chinese in motorcycles “are entering aggressively and that is why, next year we are going to go to three (exhibition) halls because new brands are coming to establish themselves in the Latin American market.”

How many brands would they join together? The fair representative was asked.

“Right now we have around 10 (companies). I think that next year we will have around 15 to 16. It is very impressive how aggressive the Asian tigers are,” he said.

The Mexican market is dominated by the Italika company, which imports motorcycles from China and some assembled in the Aztec country, but demand is growing and there is a big market to integrate more competition.

40 motorcycle brands will be participating in the Expo, presenting their new products and launches for 2025, including: Bajaj (from India), Benda, Can-Am (Canadian), Ducati, Evobike, Fantic, Gasgas, Harley-Davidson, Honda, Kawasaki, Kove (China), oMo Mobility, QJ Motor (China), MV Agusta, Treck (Mexico-China), Suzuki, Vyrus, Winmex and Zontes.

Manufacturers such as Honey Whale, Slane and V-Motors (Italian) made their debut with their participation in this edition, while the Chinese Yadea officially launched its operations in the country.

Demand for motorcycles has grown by 45%, which has been sustained, although the largest increase was observed in 2022, the first time that motorcycle sales surpassed those of automobiles, said the president of the Mexican Association of Motorcycle Manufacturers and Importers (AMFIM), Laurent Autier.

From January to July, sales exceeded 540,000 units and are expected to reach more than 1.4 million units by the end of the year, which would be an increase of 7% compared to the previous year.