(Yicai) Aug. 14 -- Chinese motorcycle maker ZXMOTO has secured an exclusive investment from HSG Group, previously known as Sequoia Capital China, lifting the fast-rising company's post-investment valuation to CNY6 billion (USD890 million), according to a media report.

Both sides did not disclose the size of the investment when announcing the deal yesterday. The Paper reported the same day, citing people familiar with the matter, that HSG invested CNY150 million (USD22.3 million) in the rising motorcycle brand.

Founded in Chongqing in 2024 by motorcycle entrepreneur Zhang Xue, ZXMOTO specializes in high-performance motorcycles and proprietary engine development. The young brand has gained attention for its unusually rapid move into international racing, becoming the first Chinese manufacturer to win a race in WorldSSP, the middleweight class of FIM Superbike World Championship, one of the world’s leading production-based motorcycle racing championships.

Long-Term Growth Plans

ZXMOTO will continue to focus on engines, complete motorcycles, product research and development, and racing validation, HSG said. The investment firm will draw on its resources in corporate governance, talent, industry networks, and global markets to support ZXMOTO's long-term growth.

The partnership will support ZXMOTO as it expands production and its global presence.

HSG's investment has brought ZXMOTO a partner that can accompany it over the long term, founder Zhang said. The team will continue to improve its engines and complete motorcycles, validate its products on racetracks, and listen to genuine user feedback, he added.

Chinese high-performance motorcycles have the opportunity to win the favor of users worldwide, Zhang emphasized, adding that this pursuit requires patience and is worth long-term investment.

In just over two years, ZXMOTO has completed two previous financing rounds. In its angel round in July 2024, Gaoxin Lingzhi Venture Capital Partnership Enterprise, a fund under Focus Capital, invested CNY20 million (USD3 million) for a stake of about 9 percent, valuing ZXMOTO at CNY100 million.

In January this year, Zhejiang Venture Capital Group, a unit of Zhejiang State-Owned Capital Operation, invested a total of CNY90 million in ZXMOTO through two of its funds in a Series A round, raising the motorcycle maker's valuation to CNY1.1 billion.

Racing Success, Capacity Expansion

ZXMOTO's surging valuation has been supported by its racing success, with the company winning six WorldSSP races this season as of June 13.

On the financial side, Zhang disclosed at ZXMOTO's 2026 Partner Conference that the company's total output value reached CNY750 million last year. R&D spending totaled CNY69.6 million, equivalent to 9 percent of sales, while the company posted a loss of CNY22.8 million in the same period.

ZXMOTO is also accelerating its production capacity expansion. In June, the company spent CNY48.5 million to acquire land for a production base in Liangjiang New Area, a major industrial and economic development zone in Chongqing, according to the local authorities.

Last month, ZXMOTO signed an agreement with CMCU Engineering, a state-owned high-tech engineering and design company, to jointly build an R&D and production base in Liangjiang with a planned annual capacity of 500,000 motorcycles. Zhang previously said on social media that the company's monthly production had already exceeded 10,000 units in June.

Meanwhile, ZXMOTO's 500RR sport motorcycle recently received European Union Whole Vehicle Type Approval certification from Luxembourg authorities, China Central Television reported. The certification means the model meets EU market access requirements and can legally enter EU member states and other countries and regions that recognize WVTA certification.

Editor: Emmi Laine