Zuo Zongshen
Age: 48
Birthplace: Chongqing
Education: MBA (part-time), junior high school
Main company:
Zongshen Group
Company headquarters: Chongqing
First listing: Shenzhen (July 2001)
Main industries: Motorcycles and engines
Wealth: $240 million, based on Zuo's share of the group's net assets in 2000
From a motorcycle repair shop in 1982, Zuo, whose education was cut short by the Cultural Revolution, has grown Zongshen to one of the world's largest motorcycle companies with annual production of 1 million motorcycles and 18,000 employees. Based in Chongqing, the motorcycle heart of China, Zongshen runs China's first international motorcycle racing team. Zongshen has diversified into producing engines for outboard motors.
Many years ago a man called Honda came to the Isle of Man and I think a few people laughed politely. The Chinese love motorsport and it may not be this year or next year but who can predict the future?