Zongshen: owner, models, markets and what the name means
Facts checked United States status as of 4 September 2026
- Private
- SZSE 001696
Zongshen is one of the three big Chongqing motorcycle names, alongside Loncin and Lifan, and it now controls one of them. Founded in 1992 by Zuo Zongshen, it builds more than a million motorcycles a year plus quad bikes, general-purpose engines and generators.
The volume product is the 125 to 200cc commuter motorcycle and scooter, with the premium Cyclone brand carrying larger machines. Zongshen also makes engines and components for other manufacturers and runs a scooter joint venture with Piaggio in Foshan, established in April 2004.
About a third of output has historically been exported, to the United Kingdom, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Russia and across Latin America, and the company has run a racing team that won Chinese superbike titles in 2007 and 2008. In 2024 it took control of the rival Chongqing maker Loncin.
Key facts
| Chinese name | 宗申 “dzong-SHUN” no literal meaning; the given name of the founder, Zuo Zongshen |
|---|---|
| Also written | ZONGSHEN, Zonsen and Cyclone |
| Owner | Zongshen |
| Founded | 1992 |
| Headquarters | Chongqing, China |
| Origin | China |
| Vehicles | Motorcycles |
| Segment | Motorcycle |
| United States | Not sold in the United States — Zongshen-badged motorcycles are not officially sold in the United States, although Zongshen-built engines appear in equipment sold there. |
| Founded | 1992 in Chongqing by Zuo Zongshen, from a repair shop opened in 1982 |
| Output | More than 1,000,000 motorcycles a year; about 18,000 employees |
| Brands | Zongshen, Cyclone and Cineco |
| Piaggio joint venture | Zongshen Piaggio Foshan Motorcycle Co., Ltd., April 2004 |
| Loncin | Zongshen New Manufacturing took 24.55% of Loncin Motor in 2024 and became its controlling shareholder |
Who owns Zongshen?
No ownership holding is recorded for this entity.
The full ownership page for Zongshen · Is Zongshen Chinese?
Where Zongshen is sold
Recorded in 6 market s: CN, United Kingdom, Italy, Spain, PT and Russia. Where a company publishes only its principal markets, that is a floor and not a complete list.
| Country | Code | Market page |
|---|---|---|
| China | CN | no page yet |
| United Kingdom | GB | Chinese cars in the United Kingdom |
| Italy | IT | Chinese cars in Italy |
| Spain | ES | Chinese cars in Spain |
| Portugal | PT | no page yet |
| Russia | RU | Chinese cars in Russia |
Zongshen: questions people ask
- Who owns Zongshen?
- It is a private Chongqing group founded and controlled by Zuo Zongshen, with its power machinery arm listed in Shenzhen under code 001696.
- What is Cyclone?
- Cyclone is Zongshen's larger-capacity premium brand, sold above the mainstream Zongshen range.
- Did Zongshen buy Loncin?
- It bought control. In 2024 Zongshen New Manufacturing took 24.55% of Loncin Motor for RMB3.346 billion and became its controlling shareholder.
Related
Sources for Zongshen
- Wikipedia, Zongshen. Read .
- Powersports Business, China: Zongshen to become majority shareholder in Loncin. Read .