28 January 2026The Irbit Motorcycle Plant (IMZ), Russia’s only manufacturer of heavy-duty motorcycles with sidecars, is moving production to China. In 2026, the new Ural Neo 500 model, entirely designed and manufactured in China, was introduced. It retains the signature sidecar, but is radically different from the classic Ural models in terms of design and features. Market launch is scheduled for May–June 2026, with a price tag of approximately $15,000, compared to $20,000 for the previous flagship Ural Gear Up. Kazakhstani production, which had reached 300 motorcycles per month, was undermined by US tariffs.