Wikipedia

Qianjiang Motorcycle

(Redirected from Keeway)
Not to be confused with CFMoto.

Qianjiang Motorcycle Group, doing business as QJMotor, is a Chinese motorcycle manufacturer founded in 1985 and headquartered in Winling, Zhejiang Province. It is one of the largest two-wheeled vehicle manufacturers in China.

Zhejiang Qianjiang Motorcycle Group Co. Ltd.
QJMOTOR
Company typePublic
SZSE: 000913
IndustryPersonal transport manufacturer
Founded1985; 39 years ago (1985)
Headquarters
Wenling, Zhejiang Province
,
China
Area served
Worldwide
Key people
Zhihao Xu (Chairman)[1]
ProductsMotorcycles, scooters
RevenueIncrease CN¥5.28 billion (2022)[2]
Increase CN¥418 million (2022)[2]
Total assetsIncrease CN¥4.72 billion (2022)[2]
Total equityIncrease CN¥3.50 billion (2022)[2]
Owner
  • Geely (36.61%)
  • Wenling Qianjiang Investment Management Co. (10.05%)[3]
Number of employees
5152 (2022)
SubsidiariesBenelli
Keeway
MBP Moto
QJPower
Websiteglobal.qjmotor.com
Keeway Superlight 125, produced by Qianjiang Group

Since September 2016, Chinese auto giant Geely has been Qianjiang's largest shareholder.[4]

Brands

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QJMotor is used to market the entire range of Qianjiang products in China, including motorcycles and scooters. Since 1999, Qianjiang has marketed motorcycles outside China under the Keeway brand. The company acquired the Benelli brand in 2005 and debuted the MBP Moto brand at the 2022 EICMA motorcycle show in Milan, Italy.[5] With the purchase of the Morbidelli brand in 2024, MBP Moto became Morbidelli MBP.[6]

International

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In 2024, QJ Motor arranged exclusive distribution of its models in Europe with SIMA (replacing DIP SAS in that role). The new agreement covers Belgium, France, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, and Switzerland. SIMA distributes other motorcycle brands in Europe, including Hyosung and Royal Enfield, while owning retro-maker Mash Motorcycles.[7]

Italy

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In 2005, Qianjiang acquired Benelli.[8] In 2009 they invested an added $26 million "to help revitalize the Italian brand." In recommitting to their investment in Benelli, Qianjang Motors general manager Haimei Yan said, "Although we have not yet turned a profit in the budget, we are here to stay, and believe in the company."[9] The company announcement in late-2021 of the new TRK 800 adventure bike model stated it was "born in the Benelli Style Centre and developed by the R&D department of the House of the Leoncino in Pesaro, where the headquarters and the heart of the company are located."[10]

In 2023 MV Agusta Motor S.p.A. announced a strategic partnership with QJMotor for distribution of its motorcycles in China. Dongshao Guo, general manager of Qianjiang Motor, said of the arrangement, "We hope [...] we will be able to work together to import more high-performance motorcycles for Chinese customers, that are fashionable, easy to handle, and fun to ride."[11] Qianjiang had an agreement to make the Lucky Explorer MV Agusta adventure bike[12] (and use their large-capacity four-cylinder engine in future models). Of the two versions of this bike QJMotor was due to build for MV Agusta – the 5.5 and 9.5 (denoting engine size)[13] – manufacture of the 5.5 was halted with the purchase of a 25.1% stake in the Italian company by the Pierer Mobility Group, owner of KTM and Husqvarna, which has as a long-standing partnership with CFMoto (a QJMotor competitor).[14]

MBP, short for "Moto Bologna Passione", officially debuted as a brand at EICMA 2022 in Milan, Italy, showcasing the T1002V, a premium adventure-tourer, and the M502N roadster.[15] The C1002V, with "muscle-cruiser styling" featuring styling cues inspired by the long-gone Harley-Davidson V-Rod, aims to compete with the new Harley-Davidson Sportster S in the "big-bore cruiser market".[16] Other models introduced included the C650V cruiser and the SC300 maxi-scooter, both models designed for the European market.[17] At the end of 2023, the company announced "two naked streetfighters", models N250 and N300, the former to be sold in Europe in accordance to A2 licensing standards, the latter headed for Asian markets.[18] Media reports in January 2024 stated that MBP would be introducing to Europe the C352LS, "a stylish, retro-modern cruiser with styling cues borrowed from the likes of Indian and Harley-Davidson".[19]

In 2022, Powerlink Technology, a Hong Kong–based company linked to the Qianjiang Motorcycle group,[20] trademarked the MBP name and logos – while simultaneously applying for rights to the same for "Morbidelli MBP" and "Morbidelli MBP Pesaro".[15] In 2024, the historic Italian Morbidelli brand was acquired by Qiangjiang's Keeway Group, which made the acquisition through their MBP Moto subsidiary, which was subsequently renamed Morbidelli MBP. Initially targeting the US, European, and Chinese markets, the newly-renamed brand's range will comprise 125cc–500cc scooters and 125cc–1,000cc motorcycles, with an electric range to be revealed in 2025.[20]

The Centro Stile Morbidelli ('Centro Styling Center') and a new research and development center will be built in Bologna.[20] Prior to its purchase by Keeway Group, Morbidelli had not produced motorcycles for 40 years.[5]

Qianjiang is in a joint venture with Marzocchi to make motorcycle suspensions in China.[21]

India

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The MBP brand enters the Indian market with the M502N naked bike and C1002V cruiser, marketed by Adishwar Auto Ride India Private Limited (AARIPL). The MBP models will be sold across India alongside Keeway and Benelli models.[22]

United States

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As part of its "More Roads to Harley-Davidson" strategy, Harley-Davidson announced June 2019 a partnership with Qianjiang Motorcycle Company to develop a 338cc "baby Harley" model motorcycle for Chinese and other Asian markets.[23]

The QJMotor brand entered the US market in 2023, distributing 11 models.[24]

Models

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Motorcycles

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Some of the more popular Qianjiang motorcycle and scooter models as of May 2023 are:[25]

  • SV650
  • SRT 800 SX
  • SRT800X (QJ750-7A)
  • SRK 800 RR
  • SRK700 (QJ700-8A)
  • SRK600 (QJ600GS-3A)
  • SRT550X (QJ500GS-5B)
  • SRV 700
  • SRV500 (QJ500-11A)
  • NTX300 (QJ300-12)
  • QJ250-3B
  • QJ125(200)-2G
  • QJ125(150)-26A
  • QJ110(125)-11C

Scooters

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  • FORT 350
  • FORT 250
  • VPS125(QJ125T-2C)
  • CTR125(QJ125T-23D)
  • LTR 125
  • LTM 125
  • QJTDR006Z
  • SQ 16
  • EZ 1200 (QJ1200DT-B)

ATVs

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  • SFA 600
  • SFA 1000

Many of these models are rebadged under different brands.

A mid-displacement cruiser called the C352LS under the brand name MBP, or Moto Bologna Passione, was announced for the European market in May 2024,[26] as were the MBP N250 and N300 (the latter destined for Asian markets).[27]

Electric

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  • OAO
  • OMO 07
  • OMO 03
  • DQ
  • E-LTR
  • MOk
  • Q2
  • VC
  • MOi
  • E-LTS

Engines

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Recent QJMotor engine development includes launching a new 800cc machine in 2023 for the SRK 800RR model, the company’s third four-cylinder engine. Launched in 2020, SRK 600RR, China’s first four-cylinder bike, was based on an engine designed by Benelli. QJMotor "teased" new four-cylinder engine in 2023, a 600cc V-4 to power a new muscle-cruiser. A fourth four-cylinder motorcycle, the 1000RR "superbike", will be driven by an MV Agusta engine.[28]

In 2024, QJMotor announced development of its Supermono engine, a V-shaped two-cylinder arrangement with only one firing cylinder; the second cylinder and piston used only as a counterweight – borrowing the name from the famous Ducati Supermono engine (from 1990) made by cutting off the rear cylinder of its Desmoquattro two-cylinder engine.[29]

In 2022, a patent appeared for a new 900cc parallel-twin to be developed by QJMotor and used by Benelli in a new model motorcycle. Similarities to theKTM LC8c, licensed to CFMoto, were noted.[30]

Sponsorship

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In 2022, QJMotor became the main sponsor of Avintia Esponsorama Racing in the Moto3 class with its two riders, Matteo Bertelle and Elia Bartolini.[31] Then from the 2023, season, QJmotor became the main sponsor of Gresini Racing in the Moto2 championship.

References

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  1. ^ "Zhejiang Qianjiang Motorcycle Co Ltd: 000913.SZ". REUTERS. Retrieved 2024-03-31.
  2. ^ a b c d "000913.CN | Zhejiang Qianjiang Motorcycle Co. Ltd. A Financial Statements - WSJ". www.wsj.com. Retrieved 2024-03-31.
  3. ^ "钱江摩托(000913)主要股东 - 新浪财经". Sina Corporation. Retrieved 11 May 2024.
  4. ^ "Zhejiang Geely Holding Group Co., LTD. Completed the acquisition of 29.8% stake in Zhejiang Qianjiang Motorcycle Co., LTD.. | MarketScreener". 19 September 2016.
  5. ^ a b "China's Keeway Acquires Italian Motorcycle Brand Morbidelli". carandbike. 2024-04-22. Retrieved 2024-04-23.
  6. ^ "Fledgling Chinese Brand MBP To Roll Out C352LS Cruiser In Europe". RideApart.com. Retrieved 2024-03-25.
  7. ^ Gomes, Leonel (2024-02-07). "SIMA takes over the distribution of QJ Motor in France and the main European markets". Motociclismo. Retrieved 2024-05-26.
  8. ^ Jitchotvisut, Janaki. "So, Just Who Is Qianjiang Motorcycle?". RideApart.com. Retrieved 2024-03-26.
  9. ^ "BENELLI MOTORCYCLES IS MORE CHINESE THAN ITALIAN: Qianjiang Motors Puts Another $26 Million Into The Italian Brand". Motocross Action Magazine. 2009-03-29. Retrieved 2024-03-31.
  10. ^ Roberson, William (2021-11-24). "Italian By Way Of China? Benelli Shows Off New TRK 800 ADV Bike, 800 Scrambler". Adventure Rider. Retrieved 2024-03-31.
  11. ^ McMahon, Dave (2020-09-22). "Motorcycle brands from Italy, China form partnership". Powersports Business. Retrieved 2024-03-31.
  12. ^ Purvis, Ben (2021-11-23). "MV Agusta Lucky Explorer: Two New Adventure Bikes". Cycle World. Retrieved 2024-03-31.
  13. ^ Elvidge, Jamie (2022-05-18). "MV Agusta CEO Reveals New Details On 5.5 and 9.5 Adventure Bikes". ADV Pulse. Retrieved 2024-03-31.
  14. ^ Elvidge, Jamie (2023-09-14). "Production Halted On MV Agusta Lucky Strike 5.5 Adventure Bike". ADV Pulse. Retrieved 2024-03-31.
  15. ^ a b Purvis, Ben (2022-12-08). "Morbidelli Comeback". Cycle World. Retrieved 2024-04-01.
  16. ^ Punsalang, EJ (2023-01-09). "New motorcycle brand MBP introduces the C1002V power cruiser in the global market". MotoDeal. Retrieved 2024-04-01.
  17. ^ Punsalang, Enrico (2023-07-13). "MBP Eyeing Malaysian Launch Through MForce Bike Holdings". RideApart. Retrieved 2024-04-01.
  18. ^ Punsalang, Enrico (2023-12-19). "MBP Targets Beginner Segment With N250 And N300 Naked Bikes". RideApart. Retrieved 2024-04-01.
  19. ^ Punsalang, Enrico (2024-01-08). "Fledgling Chinese Brand MBP To Roll Out C352LS Cruiser In Europe". RideApart. Retrieved 2024-04-01.
  20. ^ a b c Whitworth, Alex (2024-04-18). "A Famous Italian Motorcycle Maker is About to be Reborn". Visordown. Retrieved 2024-04-18.
  21. ^ Strange, Alex (2022-01-04). "Marzocchi signs production partnership with Chinese QJ Motors parent company". Visordown. Retrieved 2024-03-31.
  22. ^ "Auto Expo 2023: MBP Makes India Debut With M502N Naked; C1002V Cruiser Motorcycles". carandbike. 2023-01-16. Retrieved 2024-04-23.
  23. ^ Chung, Dennis (2019-06-19). "Harley-Davidson to Develop 338cc Model for China with Qianjiang". Motorcycle.com. Retrieved 2024-03-26.
  24. ^ Purvis, Ben (2023-04-23). "New V-4 for Benelli". Cycle World. Retrieved 2024-03-31.
  25. ^ "Qianjiang Motorcycle Models List | Complete List of All Qianjiang Models". 2023-05-28. Retrieved 2024-03-29.
  26. ^ Gomes, Leonel (2024-01-08). "The young Chinese brand MBP is launching the C352LS Cruiser on the European market". Motociclismo. Retrieved 2024-05-26.
  27. ^ Gomes, Leonel (2023-12-21). "MBP N250 and N300 – affordable for beginners". Motociclismo. Retrieved 2024-05-26.
  28. ^ Purvis, Ben (2023-06-16). "QJMotor SRK 800RR Leaked: Fast-growing Chinese brand adds another four-cylinder to its range; 1,000cc superbike to follow". Cycle World. Retrieved 2024-03-27.
  29. ^ Fragoso, Miguel (2024-02-23). "The unusual Supermono engine from QJMotor". Motorcycle Sports. Retrieved 2024-03-29.
  30. ^ StrangeTue, Alex (2022-01-11). "New Benelli 900cc parallel-twin patented by QJ Motor - and it looks familiar…". Visordown. Retrieved 2024-03-29.
  31. ^ "QJ Motor Jadi Sponsor Utama Avintia Racing, Ikut Kejuaraan Moto3".
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