But Xie said the business is now dead. Cities such as Shanghai, Beijing and Guangzhou have cracked down on the use of motorized three-wheelers or even banned them, in efforts to boost the car market. China's bike production down China's huge bicycle market has also dipped, as cars and mass transit become more popular. Bicycle production peaked in 1993, when Chinese companies churned out 41 million bikes. But it has dropped to 29 million for 2000.
Bajaj tricycles are very popular in Southeast Asia, though.
The intense heat in Thailand and Indonesia makes a motorized bike much more popular than a pedal version. Xie said Bajaj might be onto a winner if it produces cheap products in China for export to India, as Indian watch makers have successfully started doing. Bajaj has recently targeted Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines and Brazil for export sales. Rather than China, Xie suggested the opportunity for scooters lies in Thailand, Indonesia and neighboring nations such as Vietnam, Laos and Burma. He feels there's strong demand for scooters from a 400 million-plus market.