In our preceding article, we recapped the fresh line-up rolled out by domestic brands at the 2023 Motor China event. For a more comprehensive overview, kindly follow this link.

Domestic Versus Imported: The Showdown of New Releases at 2023 MOTOR CHINA (Domestic Edition)

Today’s edition extends this review to foreign brands, delving into their latest offerings and how they’ve priced these new entries for the Chinese market.

KAWASAKI – Capturing the Chinese market with a punchy 400cc engine

This time, KAWASAKI debuted its new four-cylinder models, the ZX-4R and ZX-4RR, listed at 69,800 yuan and 76,800 yuan respectively. Though seemingly two variants of the same model, there is a third – the ZX-4R SE, which, however, did not make an appearance at the show. The main disparities between the models lie in their front and rear shock absorbers. Given the audience’s initial guesswork that hovered around the 100,000 yuan mark, the announcement of the top-tier ZX-4RR’s price, just shy of 80,000 yuan, sparked audible excitement.

YAMAHA – Showcasing sincerity through pricing

YAMAHA primarily unveiled two models this round – the robust mid-weight ADV model T700, and the reigning “Moped King,” the TMax560. Priced at a quite attractive 109,800 yuan and 139,800 yuan respectively, their launch has been perceived as a sincere pricing strategy in comparison to YAMAHA’s prior records in China. This unforeseen move clearly indicates YAMAHA’s keen interest in the vast Chinese market and its readiness to intensify its efforts here.

HONDA – As expected

HONDA this time showcased two models – the CB750 Hornet and the CL500. Having made a preliminary appearance at the Shanghai Auto Show in April, the CB750 Hornet’s official price tag was revealed at Motor China: 89,800 yuan. The CL500, on the other hand, comes with a price of 62,800 yuan.

PIAGGIO Group – Consistently presenting a powerful line-up

The PIAGGIO Group, the largest scooter and motorcycle manufacturer in Europe, graced Beijing with its four leading brands: Piaggio, Vespa, Aprilia, and Moto Guzzi. The show witnessed several special and limited edition models, including the Piaggio Medley, VESPA 946, Moto Guzzi V100 Mandello, and Aprilia RS 660 EXTREMA, reinforcing PIAGGIO’s strong brand image amongst the enthusiastic audience.

DUCATI – Diavel V4’s grand debut at Motor China

The aesthetically muscular yet performance-oriented Diavel V4 had its first public appearance in Beijing, China. Regrettably, only the model was unveiled without disclosing its price. In contrast, DUCATI’s other powerhouse, the Streetfighter V2, introduced a new Storm Green variant and revealed its price of 177,000 yuan.

TRIUMPH – Introducing the all-new “Street Triple 765 Moto2 Edition” at Motor China

TRIUMPH’s newest Street Triple Moto2 Edition comes with a price tag of 145,895 yuan. Its engine upgrade, deriving from the Moto2™ race, significantly enhances the Street Triple Moto2™ Edition’s performance, making it arguably the closest road-legal model to a Moto2 race car that enthusiasts can own.

Looking at the wide array of new models launched at Motor China and considering their pricing, it’s evident that Japanese brands, notably KAWASAKI and YAMAHA, are actively vying for the mid-to-high-end consumer segments in the Chinese market, heralding a fierce competition. So, how can domestic brands secure their own niche amidst the low-price maneuvers of these imported brands? I propose two key factors: price and quality. With constant advancements in local technology R&D and design capabilities, domestic brands can assure superior product quality while maintaining a competitive price-performance ratio. In the burgeoning Chinese motorcycle leisure market, there is still ample room for home-grown brands.

*All official prices listed above are for the Chinese market.