Discover how a company founded in 1989 developed into an international motorcycle and powersports brand with ambitious engineering and championship success.
Who Are CFMOTO?
CFMOTO is a Chinese manufacturer of motorcycles, all-terrain vehicles and other powersports products. Founded in 1989 and headquartered in Hangzhou, China, the company develops and manufactures vehicles, engines and associated components for international markets.
If you have searched for “CF Moto”, this is the brand you are looking for: its official name is written as CFMOTO. Behind that name sits more than three decades of development, manufacturing experience and international expansion.
For riders discovering the brand for the first time, that history provides useful context. CFMOTO may be a fresh name on their shortlist, but the business behind it has been building its experience since the late 1980s.
When Was CFMOTO Founded?
CFMOTO was founded in 1989. Its development since then tells a story of growing ambition: establishing a manufacturing business, expanding internationally and building relationships within the wider motorcycle industry.
That longevity is an important part of the brand’s identity. Rather than appearing overnight, CFMOTO has developed through decades of work in the competitive powersports market.
CFMOTO History: Key Milestones
1989: The Beginning of CFMOTO
The company’s founding in 1989 marks the starting point of the CFMOTO story. It laid the foundations for a business that would eventually reach riders and owners far beyond China.
2011: Cooperation with KTM Begins
According to CFMOTO’s regional brand histories, cooperation with Austrian motorcycle manufacturer KTM began in 2011. This relationship became a significant chapter in CFMOTO’s international development.
2017: A Joint Venture with KTM
In 2017, the two companies formalised a joint venture known as CFMOTO-KTMR2R. The collaboration involved manufacturing and development infrastructure, including facilities for research, testing and production.
For anyone exploring CFMOTO’s heritage, the KTM relationship is a meaningful milestone. It illustrates the company’s involvement in international motorcycle manufacturing and its willingness to build substantial technical partnerships.
2024: Championship Success in Moto3
In 2024, the CFMOTO Aspar team secured the Moto3 riders’, teams’ and constructors’ world championships. This was a standout moment for the brand, placing the CFMOTO name at the forefront of a major international racing championship.
Racing added an exciting new dimension to its story. Alongside its manufacturing growth, CFMOTO now had a championship-winning chapter to celebrate.
What Does CFMOTO Make?
CFMOTO’s business extends beyond road motorcycles. Its product categories include all-terrain vehicles, utility vehicles, side-by-side vehicles and associated components. The company also operates the ZEEHO electric mobility brand.
This breadth is part of what makes CFMOTO interesting. Its engineering activities cover different ways of travelling, working and enjoying the outdoors, giving the company a wider identity within powersports.
Where Is CFMOTO Based?
CFMOTO’s global headquarters is in Hangzhou, in China’s Zhejiang province. The company describes an international presence spanning more than 100 countries and regions, with manufacturing facilities in China, Thailand and Mexico.
Its roots are Chinese, while its operations and customer base extend internationally. That combination helps explain how CFMOTO has developed into a recognisable name across different powersports markets.
Why CFMOTO’s History Matters
A brand’s history helps put its products into perspective. For CFMOTO, the most compelling elements are its longevity, international collaboration and willingness to take on new challenges.
Its journey connects a 1989 founding with global manufacturing, a significant KTM collaboration and success in Moto3. Together, those milestones tell the story of an ambitious company steadily building its place in motorcycling.
For British riders getting to know CFMOTO, there is plenty to explore. This is a brand with an established past, an international outlook and a growing collection of achievements behind its name.
Frequently Asked Questions About CFMOTO
Is CFMOTO a Chinese company?
Yes. CFMOTO is a Chinese company headquartered in Hangzhou, Zhejiang province.
How long has CFMOTO been around?
CFMOTO was founded in 1989, giving the company more than three decades of history.
Are CF Moto and CFMOTO the same brand?
Yes. “CF Moto” is a common way people write or search for the name. The official brand styling is CFMOTO.
What is the connection between CFMOTO and KTM?
The companies began cooperating in 2011 and established the CFMOTO-KTMR2R joint venture in 2017, making their collaboration an important part of CFMOTO’s history.
