In a remarkable turn of events, Hailing, a district in Taizhou, Jiangsu province, has catapulted onto the global stage after Chinese motorcycle manufacturer ZXMOTO clinched victory at the WSBK (World Superbike Championship) Portugal round on March 28, breaking the decades-long dominance of European and Japanese brands like Yamaha, Ducati, and Kawasaki.
Behind this triumph lies a tale of industrial resilience and innovation. Jiangsu Gangyang Stock, a Hailing-based manufacturer, supplied crucial crankshafts, connecting rods, and engine cases for the championship-winning bike. Once known as a hub of auto parts in China in the 1990s, Hailing has transformed itself through relentless technological advancement.
Gangyang, established in 1958 as a humble rural cooperative, has evolved into a global leader in automotive and motorcycle components, serving renowned clients such as Honda, Suzuki, and BMW.
Gangyang's products. [Photo/WeChat account: weihailing0523]
Its commitment to R&D, allocating 3.8 percent of annual sales to innovation, has been pivotal. With a domestic market share exceeding 60 percent in small-displacement motorcycle crankshafts, Gangyang is now expanding into high-performance, large-displacement models with a new 8-ha smart manufacturing facility.
Hailing's industrial renaissance extends beyond Gangyang. Once facing decline due to shifting consumer preferences, local firms like Taizhou Youmin Traffic Equipment and Taizhou Feima Vehicle Pieces have reinvented themselves, embracing electric vehicles and smart manufacturing. The district now hosts over 100 companies in the sector, generating nearly 10 billion yuan ($1.47 billion) in annual output.
As Hailing accelerates its transition towards high-end, intelligent, and green production, it aims to build a 10-billion-yuan automotive and motorcycle parts cluster, cementing its status as a global smart manufacturing hub.