Qianjiang Motorcycle should not be confused with CFMoto.
| Zhejiang Qianjiang Motorcycle Group Co. Ltd. | |
| Trading Name: | QJMOTOR |
| Type: | Public |
| Location City: | Wenling, Zhejiang Province |
| Location Country: | China |
| Key People: | Zhihao Xu (Chairman)[1] |
| Area Served: | Worldwide |
| Industry: | Personal transport manufacturer |
| Products: | Motorcycles, scooters |
| Net Income: | (2022) |
| Assets: | (2022) |
| Equity: | (2022) |
| Num Employees: | 5152 (2022) |
| Subsid: | Benelli Keeway MBP Moto |
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.
Since September 2016, Chinese auto giant Geely has been Qianjiang's largest shareholder.[2]
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.[3] With the purchase of the Morbidelli brand in 2024, MBP Moto became Morbidelli MBP.[4]
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.[5]
In 2005, Qianjiang acquired Benelli.[6] 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.”[7] 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.”[8]
MV Agusta Motor S.p.A. in 2023 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 could work together to bring in for the Chinese customers more high-performance motorcycles that are fashionable, easy to handle, and fun to ride.”[9] Qianjiang had an agreement to make the Lucky Explorer MV Agusta adventure bike[10] (and use their large-capacity four-cylinder engine in future models). Of the two versions of this bike QJMotor was to build for MV Agusta, the 5.5 and 9.5 (denoting size of engine),[11] manufacture of the 5.5 was halted with the 25.1% stake purchase of the Italian company by Pierer Mobility Group — owner of KTM and Husqvarna — who has as a long-standing partnership with CFMoto (a QJMotor competitor).[12]
MBP, 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.[13] The C1002V, with "muscle-cruiser style" featuring styling tips 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".[14] Other models introduced included the C650V cruiser and the SC300 maxi-scooter, both models designed for the European market.[15] 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 to Asian markets.[16] Media reports in January 2024 stated MBP would be introducing the C352LS, "a stylish, retro-modern cruiser with styling cues borrowed from the likes of Indian and Harley-Davidson", to Europe.[17]
In 2022, Powerlink Technology, a Hong Kong–based company linked to the Qianjiang Motorcycle group that owns Keeway Group,[18] trademarked the MBP name and logos — while simultaneously applying for rights to the same for “Morbidelli MBP” and “Morbidelli MBP Pesaro”. In 2024, the historic Italian brand Morbidelli was indeed acquired by Keeway Group, who made the acquisition through MBP Moto, now renamed Morbidelli MBP. Targeting the US, European, and Chinese markets, at first, 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.
The Centro Stile Morbidelli and a new research and development center will be built in Bologna. Morbidelli had not produced motorcycles for 40 years prior to the purchase of its brand by Keeway Group.
Qianjiang is in a joint venture with Marzocchi to make motorcycle suspensions in China.[19]
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.[20]
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.[21]
The QJMotor brand entered the US market in 2023, distributing 11 models.[22]
Some of the more popular Qianjiang motorcycle and scooter models as of May 2023 are:[23]
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,[24] as were the MBP N250 and N300 (the latter destined for Asian markets).[25]
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.[26]
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.[27]
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 the KTM LC8c, licensed to CFMoto, were noted.[28]
In 2022, QJMotor became the main sponsor of Avintia Esponsorama Racing in the Moto3 class with its two riders, Matteo Bertelle and Elia Bartolini.[29] Then from the 2023, season, QJmotor became the main sponsor of Gresini Racing in the Moto2 championship.