Why was the Zontes 310 discontinued?

[Daniella]

According to feedback from netizens, it was due to internal management issues that led to a lack of employee responsibility. Below are the specific details about the Zontes 310: 1. Power: It features a single-cylinder, water-cooled, four-valve 312cc engine with a maximum power of 26kW. As a rally bike, it comes with added weight from accessories like crash bars, windshields, handguards, and a rear rack, achieving a 0-100km/h test time of 6.8 seconds. 2. Configuration: It includes an electric windshield, keyless start, LED headlights, a full LCD instrument panel with a small storage space underneath, Bosch ABS system, and both sport and comfort modes.

[MacLevi]

I rode the Zontes 310 a few years ago and felt it was quite solid, but I recently heard it's been discontinued, probably due to low market demand. The motorcycle market is highly competitive now, with many brands like Haojue and Zongshen launching new models. The Zontes 310's sales didn't pick up, so naturally, the manufacturer had to stop production. Additionally, although the bike performed well, its maintenance costs were relatively high, which didn't appeal much to users. The manufacturer likely wanted to optimize its product line and introduced an upgraded version like the 310R, which is more fuel-efficient and smarter. It's a bit unfortunate for long-time users, but as an owner, I think it's good to discontinue models that can't keep up with trends to avoid wasting money. In short, poor sales were the main reason, and we buyers should focus more on new models.

[StAnastasia]

From a technical perspective, the discontinuation of the Zontes 310 may be attributed to the upgrade of emission standards. When the China IV standards were introduced a few years ago, the engine of this bike was still acceptable. However, with the stricter requirements of China V, the outdated design of the Zontes 310 and its inadequate exhaust treatment system made it prone to being phased out. For manufacturers, upgrading the old model would be costly, so it makes more sense to directly launch new models, such as other variants in the 310 series that have already switched to electronic fuel injection systems. Additionally, 300cc-class motorcycles like this often exhibit unstable performance on highways or wet roads, and with increasing user feedback, manufacturers tend to prioritize addressing such safety concerns. Simply put, technological obsolescence coupled with policy pressures are the direct drivers behind the discontinuation. As enthusiasts, we often keep an eye on these factors and recommend that owners of older models upgrade their equipment as soon as possible.

[DiAlice]

One of the reasons for the discontinuation of the Zontes 310 might be economic unviability. The manufacturing costs for this motorcycle were relatively high, with rising raw material and labor expenses, yet its selling price saw little increase, squeezing profit margins. Meanwhile, market demand cooled off as younger consumers shifted towards electric vehicles or imported brands, leading to poor sales for Zontes. To stay afloat, the manufacturer redirected resources to more profitable areas, such as exports or developing new models. Many domestic brands face similar situations—if a model isn’t profitable, discontinuing it is a sensible choice. As an observer, I believe the market naturally has its ups and downs, and we should accept that.