Exports Remain Strong; Lightweighting Accelerates: Die Casting and Intelligent Manufacturing Emerge as the Main Drivers of Component Upgrades


Release Date:

2026-02-12

Driven by both external demand and structural upgrading, the two-wheeled vehicle industry chain is increasingly shifting outward and toward lighter, more streamlined operations. Data show that China’s motorcycle export value reached approximately US$1.532 billion in December 2025, slightly down from November but still at a historically high level; moreover, the sector hit a peak of about US$1.708 billion in July 2025.

Driven by both external demand and structural upgrading, the two-wheeled vehicle industry chain is increasingly shifting outward and toward lighter, more streamlined operations. Data show that China’s motorcycle export value reached approximately US$1.532 billion in December 2025, slightly down from November but still at a historically high level; moreover, the sector hit a peak of about US$1.708 billion in July 2025.
From a global demand perspective, industry research indicates that global motorcycle demand is expected to grow significantly in 2024, driven by electrification and increasingly stringent environmental regulations that are accelerating product upgrades across regions.
On the manufacturing side, aluminum alloy lightweighting and process upgrades are accelerating. Market research forecasts that the aluminum die-casting market will grow at a CAGR of approximately 8.7% from 2024 to 2029, driven in part by the ongoing demand in the transportation sector—particularly automotive—for “lightweighting combined with high strength,” as well as by the efficiency and yield improvements enabled by smart manufacturing and Industry 4.0.

Recommendations for Attracting Component Manufacturers to Set Up Operations (Presented as an Industry Perspective—Highly Valuable)

“Lightweighting” is not just about materials—it’s about the entire system: aluminum alloy die casting/forging combined with precision machining and surface treatment will form a high-value integrated solution.

Foreign trade orders place greater emphasis on “stable delivery and consistency”: it is recommended to strengthen process capability for critical operations, including dimensions, hole locations, surface roughness, and coating/anodizing consistency.

Digitalization captures and codifies expertise: by systematically recording process parameters, tool compensation data, and inspection results, rework rates and batch-to-batch variability can be significantly reduced.