CFMoto Acquires Majority Stake in Kalex Engineering

CFMoto has taken a 51 percent controlling stake in Kalex Engineering, the German firm responsible for supplying chassis to most teams competing in the Moto2 World Championship. With this majority acquisition, CFMoto effectively becomes a manufacturer within the Moto2 category, signalling a more serious push into top-level motorcycle racing.

Kalex’s Dominance in the Moto2 Era

Kalex Engineering entered the Moto2 World Championship in the intermediate category which was introduced in 2010. Remarkably, the German chassis specialist needed just one season to secure its first title, with Stefan Bradl clinching the riders’ championship in 2011.

From there, Kalex built an extraordinary reputation in the class. Between 2013 and 2025, the company secured the constructors’ title every single year, creating a streak that remains unmatched in Moto2 history. Although Italian rival Boscoscuro briefly interrupted Kalex’s dominance in the riders’ standings, the German manufacturer still walked away with the constructors’ crown that season.

This depth of racing expertise is precisely what CFMoto is hoping to leverage through its newly announced partnership with Kalex.

Ownership Structure and Leadership Changes

Under the agreement, CFMoto has acquired a 51 percent stake in Kalex, giving the Chinese motorcycle brand majority control of the company. However, Kalex’s original founders — Alex Baumgärtel and Klaus Hirsekorn — will retain the remaining 49 percent, divided equally between them. Both will also remain closely involved in the business, continuing their work in management and technical development.

The joint operation will be overseen by Zhiyong Chen alongside Sebastian Sekira, who previously led engine development at KTM. Their combined leadership is expected to guide the next phase of Kalex’s technical and strategic direction.

What the Deal Could Mean for MotoGP

Although Kalex is best known for its success in Moto2, the company has already demonstrated capabilities in the premier class, the MotoGP World Championship. In 2023, Kalex supplied a chassis for the Repsol Honda Team when Marc Marquez and Joan Mir were teammates at the Japanese outfit.

There had also been speculation that CFMoto might step deeper into MotoGP. Late last year, reports suggested the company was exploring a takeover of KTM’s MotoGP racing division. The proposed deal, valued at roughly €100 million (approx. ₹1,067 crore), would have included factory team slots and riders Pedro Acosta and Brad Binder. In the end, however, negotiations failed to materialise into a formal agreement.

2027 MotoCP Rule Changes

The timing of CFMoto’s Kalex investment is noteworthy, especially with major technical regulation changes on the horizon in MotoGP. Starting in 2027, the championship will adopt a new 850 cc engine limit — a shift designed to reduce speeds while encouraging fresh technical approaches. In theory, such rule changes often open the door for new manufacturers to enter the series.

Even so, developing a competitive MotoGP prototype takes years. Despite Kalex’s engineering know-how, it remains unlikely that CFMoto could field a fully developed machine in time for the new regulations. One possible pathway could involve sourcing engines from KTM, though that too would require extensive collaboration and development time. Meanwhile, established manufacturers are already well underway with their own next-generation prototypes.

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Short-Term Impact Likely in Moto2

In the immediate future, the effects of the acquisition are more likely to be felt in Moto2. CFMoto currently competes in the class with the CFMoto Inde Aspar Team, an arrangement that runs through 2031. With 20 of the 28 bikes on the 2026 grid using Kalex chassis, the series offers an ideal environment for development and experimentation.

For CFMoto, this could serve as a valuable testing ground. Technologies refined in Moto2 could eventually trickle down to production motorcycles such as the brand’s recently revealed CFMoto 1000SR‑RR while also laying the groundwork for a potential long-term MotoGP programme. In other words, while the acquisition may not deliver immediate changes at the top level of racing, it strengthens CFMoto’s technical base and could quietly shape its motorsport ambitions in the years ahead.

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