Reference News Network, September 22 report: According to the "Nikkei Business Publications" on September 19, China's Yadea Group Holding Limited, a major global manufacturer of electric two-wheelers, will officially enter the Japanese market in November. The first models launched will be priced at about 210,000 yen (100 yen is approximately 4.81 yuan RMB - this newspaper note), which is about 30% cheaper than Japanese brands such as Honda.

The report said that the global two-wheeled vehicle market is still mainly powered by fuel, with Japanese brands accounting for more than 40% of the market share. The first to enter the Japanese market will be Yadea's Modern series, whose performance is sufficient to meet daily commuting needs, with a maximum range of over 60 kilometers on a single charge.

According to the report, the reason for entering the Japanese market in November is mainly because Japan will implement stricter motorcycle exhaust emission standards from that month. To meet the new regulations, manufacturers will stop producing existing models by the end of October and invest in gasoline vehicles that meet the new standards.

Honda and Yamaha both have electric two-wheeled vehicles on sale, but the cheapest models are priced around 300,000 yen, which is 100,000 yen higher than Yadea. In other words, Yadea's electric two-wheeled vehicles are priced at the same level as gasoline two-wheeled vehicles, offering a new choice for consumers who want to replace their old vehicles that do not meet emission standards.

According to the report, the sales of two-wheeled vehicles in Japan reached an average of 3 million units per year in the 1980s. However, due to factors such as a declining birth rate and aging population, sales dropped to 320,000 units in 2024.

The report stated that changes in market conditions, such as stricter emission restrictions, also present opportunities for newcomers. Although Yadea's entry into the Japanese market is still in its early stages, it has already formulated a strategy to develop the Japanese electric two-wheeler market.

A relevant person in Yadea Company stated that independently developing and producing core components such as batteries is one of Yadea's strengths. It holds a high market share in the Chinese two-wheeled electric vehicle market below 5,000 yuan. Currently, Yadea has a sales network in more than 100 countries and regions around the world.

The report said that four Japanese companies - Honda, Yamaha, Suzuki, and Kawasaki - account for more than 40% of the global two-wheeled vehicle market. They have long established a solid market position based on their technical advantages in internal combustion engines. However, with the rise of the concept of decarbonization, the two-wheeled vehicle market has quietly begun to transition to electrification. Data from the Nihon Keizai Research Institute shows that in 2024, electric vehicles accounted for 8.5% of the new two-wheeled vehicles sold globally. According to optimistic expectations, this proportion could expand to 18.8% by 2035.

Mr. Takaki Nakaniwa, Chief Analyst at Nishigawa Automotive Industry Research Company, pointed out: "Unlike four-wheeled vehicles, the internal combustion engine market for two-wheeled vehicles is still in a growth phase. Japanese brands do not need to be the pioneers of the electrification transition." Due to high prices and lack of charging facilities, electric two-wheeled vehicles have not truly become popular outside of China.

However, Japanese companies have not been complacent. Honda plans to invest 50 billion yen by 2030 to promote the electrification of two-wheeled vehicles, and expects to launch 30 models globally, setting a target of selling 4 million units annually. Yamaha also plans to shift 30% of newly produced two-wheeled vehicles to electric vehicles within three years starting in 2025.

The report stated that Yadea will face challenges from local brands in the Japanese market. If Yadea achieves good sales performance after entering the Japanese market, it may have a significant impact on Japan's electrification strategy. (Translated by Liu Lin)

This photo was taken on September 16 in the Electric Vehicle Industrial Park in Xishan District, Wuxi City, Jiangsu Province, showing the Trooper 01 electric vehicle designed for the European and American markets by Yadea Technology Group. (Xinhua News Agency)

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