Founded in 1989 by Lai Guoqiang, CFMoto grew into one of China's largest powersports manufacturers, producing vehicles distributed across more than 100 countries through over 2,000 partners. Its product range spans 125cc to 1250cc motorcycles in multiple categories alongside a broad ATVs and UTV lineup.
A significant strategic partnership with Austrian manufacturer KTM began in 2011. By 2017 the two companies established a joint venture enabling production and sale of KTM motorcycles in China under the KTMR2R brand, while CFMoto also assembles KTM small-displacement models and produces certain KTM engines in its Chinese factories. This technical relationship with KTM proved directly relevant to CFMoto's subsequent entry into grand prix racing. CFMoto has been listed on the Shanghai Stock Exchange since 2017 under Chunfeng Power, ticker 603129.
CFMoto entered Moto3 as a constructor for the 2022 season, fielding machines through the Prustel GP team. The motorcycles were KTM RC250GP-based machines rebranded under the CFMoto name, a direct outgrowth of the existing KTM commercial and manufacturing partnership. The two riders selected for the debut season were Spaniards Xavier Artigas and Carlos Tatay. At the Indonesian Grand Prix that year, Tatay qualified on pole position and finished third, giving CFMoto its first grand prix podium.
In 2023 CFMoto achieved two further podium results, at the Americas Grand Prix and the Australian Grand Prix, demonstrating improving competitiveness across different circuit types.
For the 2024 season CFMoto joined forces with Aspar Team in both Moto2 and Moto3. The Moto3 pairing of David Alonso and Joel Esteban targeted race victories and titles. At the Qatar Grand Prix, David Alonso and the CFMoto Aspar Team claimed the first grand prix victory for a Chinese manufacturer in the history of the World Championship. Alonso subsequently won the Moto3 riders' world championship at the Japanese Grand Prix, while CFMoto took the constructors' title and the CFMoto Aspar Team claimed the teams' championship, completing what was described as a triple crown for the brand — the first such achievement by any Chinese manufacturer in grand prix racing history.
CFMoto's entry and rapid ascent in Moto3 represents the first meaningful factory presence of a Chinese manufacturer at the top level of grand prix motorcycle racing. The progression from debut podium in 2022 to triple-crown champion in 2024 was unusually swift for a new constructor, facilitated by the existing technical foundation with KTM and the strength of the Aspar Team operation. The success drew considerable attention given the strategic importance of the Chinese motorcycle market and the broader ambition of Chinese manufacturers to compete in premium global motorsport.