Chinese Outboard Brands Enter the U.S. Market
This year promises to be a pivotal one in the outboard-engine sector. It marks 20 years since the arrival of serious competition from Chinese engine builders in the global outboard market. Parsun Power Machine — parent to the Parsun outboard engine brand — was founded 20 years ago this year in Suzhou, China. Built around a technology team with experience working with Evinrude and Johnson parent Outboard Marine Corporation as far back as 1968, Parsun built its revenues around the export business.
Growth Mission
Today, according to International Boating Industry, the company sells its engines in more than 100 countries and is rapidly expanding its product offerings with a new 115-hp outboard. Previously, the largest outboard the company made was 60 hp.
Acknowledging the shaky future of internal combustion engines, Parsun also recently announced two new electric outboards and an agreement to sell OXE diesel engines in China. This could include domestic production of the engines at Parsun’s Souzhou facility.
Parsun is not alone in its efforts to capture a greater share of the worldwide outboard market. Hangzhou-based Hidea Power Machinery was established in 2008 and moved into its current manufacturing facility in 2014 with a production capacity of 100,000 units. It’s launching a new platform this year that can cover outboards from 100 to 130 hp and plans to develop a full line of four-stroke outboards. Hidea plans to distribute to 120 countries and will offer electric and propane-burning engines.