Major production and sales country: Motorcycle industry issues green environmental protection declaration

　　A major producer and consumer country in the motorcycle industry issues a green environmental protection declaration

　　The China Association of Automobile Manufacturers (CAAM) and its Motorcycle Branch, together with 128 complete vehicle and component enterprises including Dachangjiang, Zongshen, Longxin, Jialing, Jianshe, and Jincheng, jointly signed the "Green Environmental Protection Declaration of the Chinese Motorcycle Industry" at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse in Beijing. This declaration signifies the determination of the Chinese motorcycle industry to "start from ourselves and today, take on social ethics and industry responsibilities, and contribute to low-carbon emission reduction."

　　Last year, China's automobile production and sales reached the forefront of the world, inspiring the entire industry and market. In fact, as Dong Yang, Executive Vice President and Secretary-General of the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers, said, "This was achieved by motorcycles 17 years ago." Since 1993, China's motorcycle production and sales have ranked at the forefront of the world for 17 consecutive years, accounting for more than half of the world's production and sales. Products are exported to 195 countries and regions worldwide, with export volume ranking at the forefront of the world for 10 consecutive years. Motorcycles have become electromechanical products with global characteristics in China. It can be said that wherever there are motorcycles, there is "Made in China".

　　According to statistics from relevant departments, by the end of 2009, China's motorcycle ownership stood at 94,530,658 units, with a rate of 71 units per 1,000 people, marking a 54% increase from the 2002 rate of 46 units per 1,000 people. Motorcycle ownership accounted for 51.7% of the total motor vehicle ownership. China's motorcycle ownership ranks among the top globally, approaching one-third of the world's total motorcycle ownership.

　　To prevent and control motor vehicle pollution, China began to establish emission standards in the 1990s. In 2000, the country achieved lead-free gasoline for vehicles and implemented the China I emission standard for automobiles. This marked a significant progress in China's efforts to prevent and control motor vehicle pollution, and it also indicated that China had entered a new stage of implementing strict motor vehicle emission standards to optimize, regulate, and guide the development of the motor vehicle industry. Since then, a series of emission standards applicable to motor vehicles such as automobiles, motorcycles, mopeds, and agricultural vehicles have been successively introduced and implemented. Through the implementation of various stages of motor vehicle emission standards, the emission control level of domestically produced motor vehicles has been significantly improved, and the pollutant emission load has been continuously reduced. Despite the rapid growth in the production, sales, and ownership of motor vehicles, the overall ambient air quality has remained stable. Feng Bo, Director of the Standards Division of the Ministry of Environmental Protection, commented, "The limited environmental capacity has supported the continuous 10-year high-speed growth of the domestic motor vehicle industry, and the motor vehicle emission standards have played an indispensable role. Without the strict implementation of emission standards from China I to China IV, it would have been impossible to achieve both stable ambient air quality and leapfrog development in the motor vehicle industry."

　　From July 1, 2010, the "National III" environmental protection standard for motorcycles will be implemented. The process from planning to implementation of this standard has not been smooth, encountering numerous obstacles over the past few years. A person from a catalyst technology service enterprise told reporters that it is very difficult for National II motorcycles to meet the National III standard, as it requires a qualitative improvement in engine performance. While adopting relevant technologies can reduce emissions, the price paid by enterprises is increased costs and decreased power output, which can be described as "a thankless task". Therefore, enterprises have long adopted a passive and resistant attitude.

　　However, as the world's largest producer and consumer of automobiles and motorcycles, China bears an unshirkable responsibility in environmental protection. The later it acts, the greater the pressure it will face. This is precisely why the motorcycle industry has chosen to sign the green environmental protection declaration at this time. The 128 motorcycle enterprises participating in this declaration account for 80% of the industry's output, which will undoubtedly play a strong exemplary and leading role. Chinese motorcycles are expected to embark on a green path, develop healthily, and make greater contributions to the world's motorcycle industry.