It's a question we hear often at OFF ROAD 104: "CFMOTO — what exactly is it? Is it really Chinese?" The short answer: yes, CFMOTO is a Chinese brand. But if you stop there, you're missing the whole picture.

1989: A Farmer, a Workshop, and an Idea

The story begins in 1989, when a 24-year-old farmer named Guogui Lai makes a decision that would change his life forever. After a chance encounter with a motorcycle engineer, he sees an opportunity in engine component manufacturing and founds his own company: CF, short for Chunfeng — meaning Spring Wind in Chinese.

In its early days, CFMOTO was nothing more than a small production and assembly operation in the port city of Wenzhou, south of Shanghai. The company started by manufacturing components for a 125 cc engine, quickly grew into complete engines, and then into motorcycles and ATVs as it built its first factory.

The initial capital? Just 200,000 Chinese yuan — roughly $30,000 CAD. Not a multinational. Just one man, a vision, and a lot of hard work.

Rapid Growth: From Engines to Complete Vehicles

The growth timeline speaks for itself: 1992, first CF MOTO engines roll off the line. 1999, first scooters launch. 2004, ATV production begins — CFMOTO starts developing its own powertrains, quads, side-by-sides, motorcycles, and scooters.

In 2007, the company moves to a new, purpose-built 150,000 m² facility in Hangzhou to support its international expansion. That facility remains the heart of CFMOTO's production today.

CFMOTO operates a dedicated R&D center in Hangzhou, where a team of engineers and designers work on developing new technologies. The company has put strict production processes in place to ensure every vehicle meets high quality standards — an approach that has earned it a strong reputation in demanding markets like Europe and North America.

2013–2017: The KTM Partnership That Changed Everything

This is where the CFMOTO story takes a different turn — and it's what most people don't know.

As early as 2013, KTM and CFMOTO struck an agreement to help KTM enter the Chinese market through its local partner. In 2017, the two brands formalized a joint venture to "jointly develop and manufacture products."

What does that mean in practice? Mid-weight parallel-twin engines — including the 790 cc LC8c — are assembled in China at CFMOTO's facilities, to KTM's strict specifications. Engines produced through this joint venture deliver reliability and performance on par with those built in European factories.

From this partnership came the CFMOTO 800MT and 800NK, both equipped directly with the LC8c engine developed through this collaboration.

KTM doesn't partner with just anyone. This alliance is a real industrial endorsement of CFMOTO's ability to manufacture to demanding European standards.

CFMOTO Today: A Global Player

CFMOTO designs and manufactures ATVs from 400 to 1,000 cc, side-by-sides from 500 to 1,000 cc, and motorcycles from 125 to 1,250 cc. Annual production capacity stands at 800,000 engines and over 600,000 vehicles, distributed across more than 100 countries through over 2,000 partners.

In France, CFMOTO is the 5th largest brand in the ATV segment — and in 2021, CF MOTO ATVs became the number one selling brand in the French market.

Since 2017, the company has been publicly listed on the Shanghai Stock Exchange under the name Chunfeng Power (ticker: 603129).

And it doesn't stop there: in 2023, CFMOTO signed a new joint venture agreement with Yamaha in China for the production and distribution of motorcycles and scooters. First KTM, then Yamaha — the world's biggest brands are choosing CFMOTO as a manufacturing partner. That says a lot.

CFMOTO in Canada: A Quebec Connection

In Canada, CFMOTO is distributed by CMI, with operations based in the Beauce region of Quebec. The Canadian lineup focuses exclusively on ATVs and side-by-sides, and since entering the Canadian market, CFMOTO has continued to grow its lineup and its market share at a steady pace.

What This Means for You

CFMOTO is Chinese in its origins. It's global in its reach, and European in part of its technology. It's not a budget knockoff — it's a brand that has spent 35 years building credibility, and today stands among the most significant recreational vehicle manufacturers in the world.

As the founder himself once said: "Life is like rowing upstream — either you keep moving forward, or you fall behind." CFMOTO has clearly chosen to keep moving forward.

Want to know what that means for you as a buyer? Read our next article: CFMOTO — Pros and Cons: What Nobody Tells You.