When you think about the biggest names in electric vehicles, Tesla or BYD probably come to mind first. But the largest electric vehicle producer by sheer numbers isn’t either of these car giants—it’s Yadea, the Chinese powerhouse behind an enormous array of electric two- and three-wheelers. Recently, I had the opportunity to visit China and attend Yadea’s annual retail summit, an expansive event hosting over 4,000 global dealers and showcasing what felt like an endless variety of electric rides.
It was an eye-opening that you can relive with me by watching my video from the event below. Or just keep reading for the full details!
The retail summit, held in Wuxi, China, was equal parts impressive product showcase and dealer-focused presentations. Navigating through a bustling hall filled with thousands of attendees was daunting, especially when breaks saw everyone flood the floor at once. It definitely showcased just how broad the company’s reach is, with dealerships spanning the globe. Yadea recently surpassed 100 million electric two-wheeler sales, underscoring just how massive their global reach has become.
Capturing footage and pictures of every vehicle on display was nearly impossible, but I did my best to highlight the extensive diversity in Yadea’s lineup.
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Yadea’s design ethos clearly recognizes that different riders have vastly different needs, whether it’s high-performance scooters packed with cutting-edge technology, or adorable mopeds designed around current fashion trends and popular licensing agreements. Although some of these designs lean heavily toward Chinese consumer preferences—the company’s largest market—there’s no shortage of international influences woven into their offerings, proving Yadea’s global ambitions are well underway. From automotive inspiration to more childish and fun-looking rides, there’s seriously something for everyone.
Admittedly, not every model suited me—particularly some of the more “cutesy” scooters clearly aimed at a demographic less familiar in Western moped commuting circles. But considering how universally popular two-wheel commuting is in China, Yadea clearly knows its audience. In China, commuting by scooter or moped transcends typical demographics, becoming a practical transportation option for everyone, regardless of age or gender. That’s a pretty sharp contrast with many Western markets, where motorcycles and mopeds still largely remain associated with younger demographics and male riders. Suffice it to say, you don’t see a lot of bubbly, cartoonish mopeds or child seats in the west, but they were all over the expo in various fascinating forms.
Yadea isn’t just about stylish scooters, though. They showcased a robust selection of utility and fleet vehicles, from sturdy police patrol units to versatile three-wheeled cargo haulers. I’m personally a huge fan of their electric trikes, which range from rugged utility vehicles perfect for agricultural use to enclosed commuter vehicles ideal for running errands or taking kids to school. While these trikes are incredibly popular throughout Asia, they’ve yet to fully catch on in Western markets—something I believe is overdue after spending quality saddle time in them. The versatility of these three-wheelers makes them an excellent option for urban environments with congested streets, offering enhanced stability, cargo capacity, and ease of operation compared to traditional two-wheelers or larger vehicles.
Beyond trikes and mopeds, Yadea impressed me with their comprehensive foray into practically every two-wheeled electric category imaginable. They featured trail bike-style dirt bikes, substantial full-sized electric motorcycles, and even a broad spectrum of electric bicycles designed for fitness, mountain biking, and commuting. Standouts included the popular Trooper, beloved by fans of the moped-style bikes, and the growing lineup of stand-up electric scooters, such as the affordable Starto scooter designed specifically to target budget-conscious consumers in markets like the U.S.
The diversity in Yadea’s electric bicycle lineup has continued to grow over the several years I’ve followed it closely. The sporty fitness models I saw feature lightweight frames and sleek designs aimed at urban commuters and recreational riders looking to blend exercise and convenience. Their mountain e-bikes boast robust frames, powerful mid-drive motors, and quality suspension, ready for challenging trails and off-road adventures. The commuter-style e-bikes are practical, with designs optimized for daily use, complete with integrated lights, fenders, and racks to accommodate everyday necessities. Basically, they’ve come a long way and branched out into very specific cycling niches that we hadn’t seen from Yadea only a few years ago.
Naturally, I couldn’t leave without testing as many of these rides as possible. Rainy conditions and a slippery rock slab floor outside the exhibition hall made for tricky testing conditions, but miraculously, I kept the rubber side down on everything I test-rode.
From fat-tire mopeds like the Trooper e-bike to practical scooters like the Starto, it was easy to see why these models are already gaining traction internationally. The Starto scooter, in particular, struck me as an ideal entry-level model—affordable, practical, and perfect for urban commuting. Its simplicity and affordability position it perfectly for new riders who may have previously considered electric vehicles too expensive or complicated.
I’ve tested other Yadea electric kickscooters and have been impressed, but several of them have loftier prices thanks to fancier features, full-suspension, and higher performance. The Starto’s basic design helps keep it within reach of more commuters.
Throughout the day, I was consistently impressed by the sheer number of electric vehicles on display. The vast range highlighted Yadea’s commitment to addressing nearly every possible niche in the electric mobility market. But perhaps even more striking was the scale and detail of Yadea’s dealer support system. Dealers benefit from extensive training programs, robust diagnostic tools, and a comprehensive range of accessories and upgrades. Conversations I had with dealers from all over the world highlighted the unique challenges and successes of bringing these electric vehicles to their respective markets. Many shared stories about the ease of working with Yadea as well as the brand’s name recognition helping to win over new riders.
Last year, I toured one of Yadea’s eight global factories, gaining insight into the meticulous manufacturing processes behind these vehicles. Witnessing the production process highlighted the precision, technology, and quality control standards that underpin every product Yadea manufactures. This year’s summit completed the picture, demonstrating Yadea’s equal commitment to customer-facing operations. From their expansive product lineup to their global dealer network, Yadea is making two-wheeled electric transportation accessible and appealing worldwide.
Yadea’s global impact is truly impressive. They operate on nearly every continent, with robust sales networks spread around the world. This international presence isn’t just about market share, it’s also about driving the global adoption of electric mobility solutions. Yadea’s products help reduce emissions and traffic congestion while providing affordable and accessible transportation options to millions worldwide.
When discussing true global impact, few can rival Yadea’s sheer reach and scale. Even the major electric automakers like BYD and Tesla are playing for a distance second place when it comes to annual units sold. After spending time immersed in Yadea’s latest offerings and engaging with their global dealer community, it’s clear that Yadea isn’t just leading in volume—they’re also at the forefront of innovation, design, and customer support, truly defining the future of electric mobility.
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Paris’ bike-share system, Vélib has long been considered one of the shining success stories of urban micromobility. With a massive fleet of over 20,000 pedal and electric-assist bicycles around Paris, the service has helped millions of residents and tourists get around the City of Light without needing a car or scooter. But lately, a growing problem is threatening to knock the wheels off this urban mobility marvel: theft and joyriding.
According to city officials and the service operator, more than 600 Vélib bikes are now going missing every single week. That’s over 30 bikes a day simply vanishing from the system – some stolen outright, others taken on “joy rides” and never returned.
“At the moment we’re missing 3,000 bikes,” explained Sylvain Raifaud, head of the Agemob company that currently operates the Velib system. That’s nearly 15% of over 20,000 Vélib bikes across Paris.
The sticky-fingered culprits aren’t necessarily professional thieves or organized crime rings. Instead, they’re often regular users who treat the shared bikes like disposable toys.
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The city estimates that many people have figured out how to pry the bikes out of the system’s parking docks, unlocking one for a casual cruise and then ditching it somewhere far from a docking station.
Once pried free, the bikes are technically usable for the next 24 hours until their automatic locking feature kicks in. At that point, the bikes are often simply abandoned. Some end up in alleyways. Others get tossed in rivers. A few just disappear completely.
And since the bikes are intended to be parked at their many docking stations around the city, they don’t have GPS chips, further complicating recovery of “liberated” bikes.
The issue started small but has grown into more than an inconvenience – it’s beginning to undermine the entire purpose of the service. With bikes going missing at such a high rate, many Vélib docking stations are left empty, especially during rush hours.
Riders looking for a quick commute or a convenient hop across town are increasingly finding themselves without available bikes, or having to walk long distances to find a functioning one.
That kind of unreliability chips away at user confidence and threatens to drive potential riders back into cars, cabs, or other less sustainable forms of transport at a time when Paris has already made great strides to dramatically reduce car usage in the city.
The losses are financially painful, too. Replacing stolen or vandalized bikes isn’t cheap, and the resources spent on tracking down missing equipment or reinforcing anti-theft measures are stretching thin. Vélib has faced theft and vandalism issues before, especially during its early years, but this latest surge has officials sounding the alarm with renewed urgency.
Officials acknowledge that there’s no easy fix. Paris, like many cities with bike-share systems, walks a fine line between accessibility and accountability. Part of what makes Vélib so successful is its ease of use and widespread availability. But those same features make it vulnerable to misuse – especially when enforcement is limited and the consequences for abuse are minimal.
The timing of the problem is especially unfortunate. In recent years, Paris has seen impressive results in reducing car traffic, expanding bike lanes, and promoting cycling as a key part of its sustainable transport strategy. Vélib is a cornerstone of that plan. But if the system becomes too unreliable, it risks losing the very people it was designed to serve.
Meanwhile, as Parisians increasingly find themselves staring at empty docks, the challenge for the city and Vélib will be to restore confidence in the system without making it harder to use. That means striking the right balance between freedom and responsibility, between open access and protection against abuse.
In a city where cycling is supposed to be the future of mobility, losing thousands of bikes to joyriders and sticky fingers isn’t just frustrating; it’s unsustainable.
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U.S. President Donald Trump and Elon Musk attend a press event in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, D.C., U.S., May 30, 2025.
Nathan Howard | Reuters
When they lose a significant other, most men do indeed become a “TRAIN WRECK.” Then they pick up the pieces of their lives and start living again — paying attention to their personal grooming, hitting the gym and discovering new hobbies.
What does the world’s richest man do? He starts a political party.
Last weekend, as the United States celebrated its independence from the British in 1776, Elon Musk enshrined his sovereignty from U.S. President Donald Trump by establishing the creatively named “American Party.”
Few details have been revealed, but Musk said the party will focus on “just 2 or 3 Senate seats and 8 to 10 House districts,” and will have legislative discussions “with both parties” — referring to the U.S. Democratic and Republican Parties.
It might be easier to realize Musk’s dream of colonizing Mars than to bridge the political aisle in the U.S. government today.
To be fair, some thought appeared to be behind the move. Musk decided to form the party after holding a poll on X in which 65.4% of respondents voted in favor.
Folks, here’s direct democracy — and the powerful post-separation motivation — in action.
— CNBC’s Erin Doherty contributed to this report.
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And finally…
An investor sits in front of a board showing stock information at a brokerage office in Beijing, China.
US President Donald Trump, right, and Elon Musk, chief executive officer of Tesla Inc., during a news conference in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, DC, US, on Friday, May 30, 2025.
Francis Chung | Bloomberg | Getty Images
When they find themselves without a significant other, most men finally start living: They pay attention to their personal grooming, hit the gym and discover new hobbies.
What does the world’s richest man do? He starts a political party.
Last weekend, as the United States celebrated its independence from the British in 1776, Elon Musk enshrined his sovereignty from U.S. President Donald Trump by establishing the creatively named “American Party.”
Few details have been revealed, but Musk said the party will focus on “just 2 or 3 Senate seats and 8 to 10 House districts,” and will have legislative discussions “with both parties” — referring to the U.S. Democratic and Republican Parties.
It might be easier to realize Musk’s dream of colonizing Mars than to bridge the political aisle in the U.S. government today.
To be fair, some thought appeared to be behind the move. Musk decided to form the party after holding a poll on X in which 65.4% of respondents voted in favor.
Folks, here’s direct democracy — and the powerful post-separation motivation — in action.
[PRO] Wall Street is growing cautious on European equities. As investors seek shelter from tumult in U.S., the Stoxx 600 index has risen 6.6% year to date. Analysts, however, think the foundations of that growth could be shaky.
And finally…
Ayrton Senna driving the Marlboro McLaren during the Belgian Grand Prix in 1992.
Pascal Rondeau | Hulton Archive | Getty Images
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CEOs today aren’t just steering companies — they’re navigating a minefield. From geopolitical shocks and economic volatility to rapid shifts in tech and consumer behavior, the playbook for leadership is being rewritten in real time.
In an exclusive interview with CNBC earlier this week, McLaren Racing CEO Zak Brown outlined a leadership approach centered on urgency, momentum and learning from failure.