CFMOTO acquires Kalex Engineering GmbH

CFMoto, the Chinese motorcycle manufacturer, has acquired a 51% stake in the German company Kalex Engineering GmbH, a dominant player in the Moto2 World Championship chassis market, for $1.5 billion. This transaction signifies CFMoto's strategic move to bolster its technological prowess in motorcycle racing. Although the deal was finalized in December 2025, it only became public at the MotoGP season opener in Buriram, Thailand.

The acquisition was executed through CFMoto’s European subsidiary, Helmsmen Europe. CFMoto took over Günther Holzer's shares and acquired part of the stakes from Alex Baumgärtel and Klaus Hirsekorn to achieve a majority position. As part of the agreement, Alex Baumgärtel retains his role as CEO and remains the sole decision-maker concerning Moto2 operations. The company’s board will now also include CFMoto’s Vice President Zhiyong Chen and Sebastian Sekira, previously head of engine development at KTM. The two remaining founders, Baumgärtel and Hirsekorn, will continue to hold the remaining 49% collectively.

The strategic rationale for the acquisition centers on CFMoto's intent to leverage Kalex's expertise in racing technology for its series production. Baumgärtel highlights the transfer of technical know-how, particularly in chassis rigidity—a field where his unique perspective from the automotive industry has driven Kalex's success. Kalex is renowned for its prowess in Moto2, having secured all Constructors’ Championships from 2013 to the present, and building the bikes of 13 out of the last 15 Moto2 World Champions.

This acquisition positions CFMoto to enhance its competitive standing in the global motorcycle manufacturing landscape. The deal represents a significant step for CFMoto, which has been seeking to escalate its performance technology to contend with motorcycle industry leaders. For competitors within the sector, CFMoto’s entry into advanced chassis technology signals a potential shift in market dynamics, as it may use this new expertise to target higher performance segments of the market.

Looking forward, the partnership’s success hinges on the effective integration of Kalex's racing developments into CFMoto’s commercial offerings. Regulatory or competitive approvals are not anticipated to pose significant barriers to this transnational acquisition. However, future market performance will largely depend on whether CFMoto can translate Kalex’s Moto2 track record into commercially viable products.