Yadea's 6-year journey shaping green transportation in Vietnam

The world's leading electric motorbike manufacturer operates two factories in Vietnam, including its largest Southeast Asian headquarters, aiming for 90% product localization.

Mr. Liu Jia (above), General Director of Yadea Vietnam, at an event. Photo: Yadea Vietnam

Vietnam's two-wheeler market is undergoing a significant transformation as major cities implement roadmaps for transitioning to electric vehicles. Experts believe the competition among manufacturers is no longer about market share but about building a new transportation culture in Vietnam.

Yadea has been at the forefront of this change, establishing its first Vietnamese factory in 2019. This 50,000 m2 facility is located in the Quang Chau Industrial Zone (Bac Ninh). In early 2024, Yadea broke ground on a second factory in the same province, spanning over 232,000 m2, four times larger than the first.

Commenting on this pivotal moment, Mr. Liu Jia, General Director of Yadea Vietnam, stated that Vietnam is the company's largest overseas market. He highlighted the alignment between the Vietnamese government's vision and Yadea's global mission. "We view this as a moment of synergy, positioning ourselves as a leader in creating an inspiring journey, making eco-friendly electric motorbikes more accessible to everyone," Mr. Liu Jia said.

Behind Mr. Liu Jia's expectations, the Chinese electric motorbike manufacturer brings a strategic investment plan, a robust production platform, and concrete actions to realize this vision.

Customers with Yadea electric motorbikes. Photo: Yadea Vietnam

Mr. Liu Jia (above), General Director of Yadea Vietnam, at an event. Photo: Yadea Vietnam

Artist Soobin, brand ambassador for Yadea electric motorbikes. Photo: Yadea Vietnam

Founded in 2001 in Wuxi City (Jiangsu Province, China), Yadea began with a focus on developing green transportation, gradually becoming one of the world's largest electric motorbike manufacturers.

Over two decades, Yadea has invested heavily in technology and research, boasting several national-level centers in China, including a design center and two CNAS research facilities. The company employs over 1,000 R&D specialists and holds over 2,000 patents.

Among its leading technologies is the TTFAR Range Extension system, which converts excess kinetic energy into electrical energy during coasting, downhill travel, and braking, storing it in the battery to extend range. Additionally, the company claims its Graphene TTFAR battery offers triple the lifespan of conventional batteries and provides a 24-month free replacement warranty. In 2025, Yadea also pioneered the commercialization of sodium-ion battery-powered electric bicycles.

Yadea currently operates 10 factories globally, producing over 30 million vehicles annually. These include six factories in China and others in Vietnam, Indonesia, Mexico, and Thailand. With over 12,000 employees in more than 100 countries and territories, the company has sold over 100 million vehicles by the end of 2024, remaining the world's top-selling electric motorbike brand for eight consecutive years.

The Bac Ninh factory serves as Yadea's main production hub, manufacturing models ranging from popular options like the i8, Xbull, and Vekoo to premium models like the Velax, Oris, and special editions co-designed with artist Soobin. Yadea's retail network has also expanded rapidly, with over 700 points of sale nationwide and over 300 brand shops.

Smart features on Yadea electric motorbikes. Photo: Yadea Vietnam

Customers with Yadea electric motorbikes. Photo: Yadea Vietnam

"Thanks to comprehensive investments in products, technology, and network development, Vietnam has become one of Yadea's key global markets, not only providing green vehicles but also creating a comprehensive service and user experience ecosystem," a Yadea Vietnam representative said.

After six years in Vietnam, Yadea's Bac Ninh factory produced its 400,000th vehicle last August. With a design capacity of 300,000 vehicles per year, a new vehicle rolls off the production line every 45 seconds. The company's market share has doubled from 10% to 20% in two years.

The company's new 100 million USD factory in the Tan Hung Industrial Zone (formerly Bac Giang), with a design capacity of two million vehicles per year, serves as Yadea's largest Southeast Asian headquarters, exporting to markets like Indonesia, Thailand, Brazil, and Mexico. With this new facility, Yadea aims to increase its localization rate from 60% to 90% and establish a modern R&D center.

"Managing the supply chain and R&D within Vietnam allows us to design premium models tailored to the preferences and operating conditions of Southeast Asian consumers, starting with Vietnamese customers," Mr. Liu Jia emphasized.

Customers with two Yadea electric motorbike models. Photo: Yadea Vietnam

Artist Soobin, brand ambassador for Yadea electric motorbikes. Photo: Yadea Vietnam

Yadea's electric motorbike portfolio in Vietnam includes the City series (Ocean, iCute, Odora S, M6I, Vigor) and the Sport series (X-Zone, Vekoo, Xmen Neo, X-Sky, Xbull). The company also distributes five electric bicycle models: i8 Vintage, i8, i6, iFun, and IGO.

New models include the Voltguard, Velax, Orla P, Oris, Ossy, and three special editions of the Vekoo, Velax, and Oris co-designed with artist Soobin. Prices range from 11 million to 30 million VND.

Addressing the challenges of electric two-wheelers, a company representative highlighted range and durability. In recent tests, two key models, the Voltguard and Velax, achieved ranges of 150 km and 170 km, respectively, on a single charge during a mixed-traffic test run from the Bac Ninh factory to Hanoi.

"This performance stems from our core technologies: the proprietary Graphene battery, the AIGo smart platform, and mobile app connectivity, providing features like location tracking, battery optimization, and enhanced safety," the representative stated. With these results, the company believes electric vehicles can compete directly with traditional gasoline-powered motorbikes.

Smart features on Yadea electric motorbikes. Photo: Yadea Vietnam

To encourage adoption, Yadea's network of over 800 dealerships nationwide offers free electric motorbike registration and trade-in programs.

"Through these initiatives, Yadea aims to support the government's efforts to promote the use of eco-friendly electric vehicles," Mr. Liu Jia, General Director of Yadea Vietnam, said. "With clear policies, a tech-savvy young population, and local production capabilities, Vietnam holds great potential for developing green transportation and environmentally friendly vehicles."