The Chinese (Motorcycle) Invasion

Sound the alarms! China has started its invasion of the Philippines!

Now, before anybody starts calling George "Dubya" Bush for military intervention, the Chinese did not aim WMD (weapons of mass destruction) towards the Philippines but instead set their sights on increasing the WMD (wheels and motorcycle distribution) of our growing motorcycle market. Dubbed as the "2003 China Chongqin Trade Expo", the motorcycle exhibit was held from August 14-17 at the World Trade Center in Roxas Boulevard and showcased the manufacturing capabilities of China, specifically its Chongqin Science Industry Zone where most of the exhibitors build their motorcycles, light vehicles, engines, generators and related components.

The trade expo invited local businessmen to look at the Chinese motorcycle industry as an opportunity for local and foreign trade since some of the exhibitors were engaged in import and export business in Chongqin. The event was supported by the Office of the President, the Office of the Vice President, the Senate, the House of Representatives, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), the Department of Transportation and Communication (DOTC), the Federation of Filipino-Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Luzon Motorcyclists Federation, Inc. (LMFI).

The exhibit hall was dominated by large display areas from the major Chongqin manufacturers such as Zongshen, Loncin, Yingang, Hensim and Yinxiang while other participants had display booths to showcase their products. Some brands boasted of endorsements from internationally-known Hong Kong-based superstars like Jackie Chan (for Kinlon motorcycles) and Chow Yun Fat (for the Hensim cruiser/touring bike line) while others boasted of technological links and manufacturing ventures with Japanese or Korean motorcycle manufacturers.

At the center stage was Chongqin Yinxiang Motorcycle (Group) Co., Ltd. whose display area was highlighted by a stage where five lovely Chinese ladies were the center of attraction as they danced, modeled and gamely posed with the patrons. These ladies stole the show from the whole repertoire, which included an amazing multiple plate balancing act performed by a likewise attractive Chinese lady gymnast. It seems Yinxiang dominated the exhibit for attractive Chinese ladies, although its displays also told of the strength of the company.

Yinxiang, which was established in 1997, boasts of a manufacturing facility located in a 100-acre area in Chongqin. With a capitalization of 1 billion RMB Yuan, the state-appointed company produces 1.5 million engines, 800,000 motorcycles and 300,000 gas engines with engine displacements ranging from 35cc to 600cc. They market their motorcycles under the brand name Yinxiang, Xianfeng, Kenbo and JLM. In 2000, they were certified under ISO9002 while they got their ISO9001 certification in 2002, during which they also formed the Chongqin Yinxiang & Hyosung Motorcycle Co., Ltd., in partnership with Korea’s Hyosung Motor & Machinery Inc. and Unistar Industry Company. Yinxiang has established factories in Vietnam, Laos, Indonesia, Nigeria and the Philippines while it exports its products to Southeast Asian, European, American and African markets. The company also formed their marketing arm (Chongqin Junlong Motorcycle Marketing Co., Ltd.) and is currently the 4th largest exporter (in terms of volume) in China.

The variety of motorcycle models displayed throughout the entire exhibit hall included sports bikes, cruisers, dual-purpose bikes (off-road/street), standard bikes, scooters and even a police bike (Yinxiang) with most of them sporting a single cylinder engine. Although not qualified as motorcycles, there were also four-wheel all-terrain vehicles (ATV), micro-vans and pick-ups which look like the Suzuki- and Daihatsu-based Filcabs and Multicabs (Chongqin Yu’an Group, Chang’an Automobile Group) while others displayed their gas-powered portable generators and gensets (Zongshen, Chongqin Lian Long Power Co., Ltd.), wiring harness, batteries, automotive electronic products (Chongqin Shenyu Electron, Chongqin CAIEC Machinery and Electronic Products Imports & Export Co., Ltd.), fabrics (Chongqin No.3 Cotton Factory) and other related components.

Maybe you’re wondering why established brands (or at least Chinese brands that have already established their names in the country) like Kymco, SYM, Hyosung, Jiangshe and Lifan were not represented during the trade expo. Well, Kymco and SYM are from Taiwan, Hyosung is the Korean partner of Yinxiang while Lifan and Jiangshe are made in Chinese regions outside of the Chongqin Science and Industry Zone. (Did you know that Jiangshe makes the AK-47 assault rifle which is the standard firearm of the Chinese army?) For the benefit of investors, the exhibit featured a booth filled with information about the Chongqin Science and Industry Zone.

So, better brush up on your Chinese language. It seems we will be learning a lot of Chinese names and words with the onslaught of the next round of the Chinese motorcycle invasion.