Utility vehicles go up to 600cc while 150cc models are marketed as safer for children than some motorcycles.

ATV suppliers in mainland China and Taiwan are expanding their selections for two different markets even as they maintain their presence in the sports segment.

Mature and readily available technology is enabling mainland makers to develop the youth/children's line further in response to strong demand, particularly from North America, Europe and Australia. Companies are addressing safety issues by incorporating changes meant to enhance stability and durability.
Taiwan suppliers, on the other hand, are moving upmarket rather than engaging in price competition with their mainland counterparts. They offer ATVs that comply with Euro II, EPA and CARB standards. Designs featuring 4-stroke engines are now mainstream. Lowpower children's models, however, are fitted with 2-stroke engines.

In addition, makers in the island are exploring allterrain utility vehicles, a niche segment that has been growing over the past several years. From their previous role as agricultural equipment, UTVs are expanding in terms of application and superseding sports ATVs in sales and market potential.
Nonetheless, suppliers continue to ramp up R&D for sports models.

For many mainland companies, this means designing models fitted with engines that have higher power output.

One maker doing so is Zhejiang Kaifeng Group Co. Ltd. This specialist in sports ATVs is developing products with a displacement ranging between 300 and 500cc.

Upcoming releases from Zhejiang Chaozhong Industrial Co. Ltd will have 500 or 600cc engines. The company offers sports and utility ATVs that bear CE, EEC and EPA approval, and dirt bikes.

The three lines account for nearly equal parts of output, although Zhejiang Chaozhong plans to concentrate on sports ATVs and UTVs, which continue to grow in popularity.

Over the past several years, Taiwan suppliers have pushed up the capacity of engines to more than 250cc. Designs with 500 to 600cc are now scheduled for release.

Taiwan Golden Bee Co. Ltd phased out children's ATVs and ventured into 250cc models three years ago. In 2006, it launched 400cc units and will be introducing 500cc versions this year. Upcoming ATVs will have independent suspension systems and center shaft braking.

With these high-power models exceeding $1,000, however, makers in the island foresee R&D slowing, at least in this particular aspect.

E-ton Power Tech Co. Ltd said that due to the weakening economy, customers in the US might not accept these products despite their features and performance. The US is the primary export market of Taiwan-made ATVs.

The company said many of the current models are overdesigned and their features are not being utilized fully. “Several makers that invested substantially in developing large sports ATVs did not get good returns because buyers prefer to source these from top-brand suppliers,” sales manager Chris Lai said.

To keep costs down, E-ton kept the chassis design of its 250cc Vector when it upgraded the series to 300cc.

Unilli Motor Co. Ltd used the same strategy for its RX range of sports ATVs to save on development and molding costs. New models have 250cc engines.