CFMOTO vehicles are made by Zhejiang Chunfeng Power Co., Ltd., a Chinese publicly traded company headquartered in Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China, that manufactures ATVs, UTVs, motorcycles, and side-by-sides at facilities in China, Thailand, and Mexico.
CFMOTO is known for producing powersport vehicles that deliver performance-oriented specs at significantly lower prices than comparable European and American brands, and for its longstanding partnership with Austrian motorcycle maker KTM that gave CFMOTO access to advanced engine technology.
CFMOTO is a brand of Zhejiang Chunfeng Power, listed on the Shanghai Stock Exchange since 2017, with founder Lai Guoqiang remaining the controlling shareholder of the company he started making engines in 1989.
Knowing who makes CFMOTO helps buyers understand the Chinese manufacturing origin of an increasingly popular powersports brand that has grown rapidly in the North American market.
This article covers CFMOTO’s founding, ownership, manufacturing locations, the KTM partnership, and how CFMOTO compares to Polaris and Can-Am.
So let’s get started.
Table of Contents
Who Owns CFMOTO?
CFMOTO is owned by Zhejiang Chunfeng Power Co., Ltd., which is publicly listed on the Shanghai Stock Exchange under ticker 603129 and founder-controlled by Lai Guoqiang.
Lai Guoqiang founded the company in Hangzhou in 1989 and has led its expansion from engine components to a full-line powersports manufacturer with global distribution in nearly 100 countries.
CFMOTO is not a state-owned enterprise. It operates as a private founder-controlled public company with significant institutional shareholder support alongside the founder’s controlling stake.
What Was the CFMOTO and KTM Partnership?
CFMOTO entered a commercial partnership with Austrian motorcycle maker KTM in 2011, initially supplying components and later engines. The partnership deepened into a full joint venture in 2017, with CFMOTO holding 51% and KTM 49%, producing KTM motorcycles for the Chinese market and co-developing middleweight engines.
The joint venture gave CFMOTO access to KTM’s engineering expertise and allowed it to manufacture KTM models for the Chinese domestic market while incorporating KTM-derived technology into its own products for global markets.
In 2025, the KTM-CFMOTO partnership came to an end, with CFMOTO continuing independently as it had developed sufficient in-house engineering capability to move forward without the European partnership. The split reflected CFMOTO’s growing confidence in its own design and development teams.
Where Are CFMOTO Products Made?
CFMOTO’s primary manufacturing is at its Hangzhou campus in China, which has an annual production capacity of approximately 400,000 two-wheelers and 200,000 ATVs and side-by-sides.
In 2021, CFMOTO established its first international factory in Thailand, with capacity for approximately 40,000 units per year serving Southeast Asian and broader global markets.
CFMOTO opened its first North American manufacturing facility in Mexico in the mid-2020s to support its growing US market presence and reduce shipping costs and import friction for North American buyers. The full product range is at CFMOTO’s official US website.
What Products Does CFMOTO Make?
CFMOTO produces ATVs, side-by-sides (UTVs), motorcycles, and electric bikes under its Zeeho sub-brand. The ATV lineup spans 400cc to 1000cc models including the popular CForce series. The UFORCE and ZFORCE series cover the utility and sport side-by-side categories.
The motorcycle range includes street, adventure, and naked bike models. The 700CL-X is one of CFMOTO’s most popular global motorcycle models, a cruiser-style bike that has earned strong reviews for its value proposition.
CFMOTO’s electric Zeeho brand makes electric motorcycles and scooters for urban mobility applications, a growing part of its portfolio as electrification reaches the powersport segment.
CFMOTO vs Polaris vs Can-Am: Who Makes Each?
All three are powersports brands covering ATVs and side-by-sides, but from entirely different companies. CFMOTO is Chinese, owned by Zhejiang Chunfeng Power. Polaris is American, a publicly traded company in Medina, Minnesota, that also owns Indian Motorcycle. Can-Am is a brand of Bombardier Recreational Products (BRP), a Canadian company headquartered in Valcourt, Quebec.
CFMOTO typically prices its products 20 to 40% below comparable Polaris and Can-Am models, using value as its primary competitive tool as it builds brand recognition in North American markets where Polaris and Can-Am have dominant established positions.
Polaris and Can-Am manufacture their powersports products in the US and Canada respectively. CFMOTO manufactures primarily in China with growing regional capacity in Thailand and Mexico.
Frequently Asked Questions About Who Makes CFMOTO
Is CFMOTO a good brand?
CFMOTO has earned a growing reputation for value-oriented powersport vehicles that offer competitive performance and features at lower prices than established brands. Its ATVs and side-by-sides have received positive reviews from off-road publications and owner communities, particularly for buyers who prioritize value per dollar over brand heritage.
Is CFMOTO Chinese?
Yes. CFMOTO is made by Zhejiang Chunfeng Power Co., Ltd., a Chinese company founded in 1989 in Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province. It is listed on the Shanghai Stock Exchange and manufactures its products primarily in China.
Did CFMOTO partner with KTM?
Yes. CFMOTO and KTM partnered commercially from 2011 and formed a joint venture in 2017. The partnership gave CFMOTO access to KTM engine technology and production methods. The partnership ended in 2025, with CFMOTO continuing independently on its own product development path.
Are CFMOTO ATVs reliable?
CFMOTO ATVs have generally been regarded as reliable for their price point, with owner communities reporting satisfactory long-term durability when properly maintained. Parts availability and dealer service network depth are important considerations for buyers, as CFMOTO’s North American dealer and service network remains smaller than those of Polaris and Can-Am.
I am Jack Neel, a mechanical engineer, researcher, and writer. I created this website to share my knowledge about different brands and products with you. I research the manufacturers behind the brands and provide you with the information you need to make smart buying decisions.