Giant Group has started 2026 with a significantly weaker January performance than previous years, posting a sharp decline in revenue of 21.6% for the first month of the year. The Taiwanese company's downturn comes following a year in which Giant dominated the headlines — and not always for good reasons.

Brompton returned to meaningful profitability in early 2025, according to its most recent financial results, after a near-breakdown in 2024. In the period ending 31 March, 2025, operating profit rebounded sharply to £130,476 (€150,200) compared to the £4,602 (€5,300) reported by the United Kingdom folding-bike brand in 2024. Despite this soft rebound in profit, the company's annual data shows an overall £2 million (€2.3 million) loss in profit and a 7.5% drop in bike unit sales.

Dahon, one of the biggest folding bicycle makers in the world, jumped on its Hong Kong trading debut after investors flocked to its initial public offering on September 9, 2025. Dahon Tech, a subsidiary of Dahon, successfully listed on the Main Board of the Hong Kong Stock Exchange. "With an oversubscription rate of 7,558 times, media recognized it as Hong Kong's most oversubscribed listing ever," adds Dr. David Hon, the company's founder and CEO.

TAIPEI, Taiwan - Merida Industry Co., Ltd. reported an 8.5% year-on-year decline in consolidated revenue to NT$21.8 billion (€610 million) for the first three quarters of 2025, as weakening demand across Asia continues to weigh on the Taiwanese manufacturer's performance. Net profit for the parent company fell 18% to NT$1.44 billion (€39.5 million) during the same period, while earnings from associates, including Merida's stake in Specialized, contributed NT$511 million (€14 million).

SHENZHEN, China - Zhaowei may not be a household name, but there is a good chance its gears power nearby moving products, from car components to office or household appliances. Every day, millions of gears in any possible size are pumped out of its Dongguan, Suzhou and Shenzhen-based factories. Marking a first for the Chinese ODM, it has now entered the e-bike drive market with its own brand identity, Preeto.

BRUSSELS, Belgium - The ongoing market and inventory issues have seen the total number of e-bikes imported into the European Union drop 13% in the first nine months of this year, compared to the same period last year. Eurostat's latest data also shows a 14% decline in value. Similarly to 2024, in Q3, China has taken the top spot from Taiwan as the leading EU e-bike supplier. But with a difference of just 341 units, there can be no talk of Chinese dominance in Europe - yet.