Editor’s note: A 2026 QYResearch report ranks LEQI’s Megawheels brand fourth among manufacturers in the global two-wheeled self-balancing scooter market. Megawheels also ranked first in Japan and had 2 million users. Behind those numbers lies LEQIโs ambition to navigate foreign markets and build a lasting global business.
The Last Two Kilometers
A two-kilometer trip can be an awkward gap in a city. Driving means traffic and parking; walking takes time, and public transit may not reach the door. Electric scooters offer another option, provided they are portable, reliable and easy to use.
That is the market Shenzhen-based LEQI entered when it was founded in 2016. Its portfolio now spans electric scooters, self-balancing vehicles, e-bikes, electric riding luggage and electric motorcycles.
The idea is simple, but the challenge is building products that fit local travel habits, meet regulatory requirements and earn the trust of riders in unfamiliar markets.
When Luggage Becomes a Ride
One of LEQIโs newer designs takes the concept beyond the conventional scooter. Its L3 Smart Electric Suitcase appears in the 2026 Red Dot Award: Product Design listings. It combines hand luggage with a rideable platform: a fold-out chassis and handle let the case function as a scooter, while wide wheels are designed to provide stability when riding or sitting.
A colored LED strip adds a distinctive touch, while sensors enable the suitcase to follow its owner and avoid obstacles, according to Red Dotโs description. The design was recognized for combining luggage with personal mobility.
The L3 reflects LEQIโs ambition to bring mobility technology into everyday products. For travelers navigating sprawling airports or train stations, it offers a potential way to combine luggage and transportation in one device.
The idea is part of a broader shift in personal mobility: bringing rideable technology into objects people already use.
More Than a Scooter Maker
Today, LEQIโs portfolio spans urban commuting, outdoor recreation and sports, with products ranging from e-bikes and electric riding luggage to high-speed electric motorcycles and dirt bikes. Across these categories, the company is building capabilities in electric-drive systems, battery management, sensor-based control and connected software.
Some of LEQIโs engineering expertise can be applied across its product range. Battery management and electric-drive systems, for example, are relevant to both scooters and e-bikes, while sensors and connected software can support different forms of vehicle control and interaction.
But shared technology does not mean one-size-fits-all design. A commuter scooter must be portable and practical for daily travel; an off-road motorcycle needs to handle demanding terrain; and a rideable suitcase must fit the constraints of moving through airports.
LEQIโs challenge, thus, is to adapt its core technologies to these different needs while developing products that work well in their own right.
What the Rankings Reveal
In 2021, LEQI established a global branding strategy, operating Megawheels and LEQI as two proprietary brands. The move formed part of its push into overseas markets, where the company sold through platforms including Amazon and eBay, its own website and B2B channels.
Additionally, LEQI ranked first worldwide in electric scooter shipments in 2025, and its Megawheels brand had 2 million users and ranked first in Japan.
LEQI has pursued overseas distribution beyond its home market, but turning overseas sales into brand recognition, repeat purchases and reliable after-sales support remains a challenge.
The Work of Going Abroad
Online marketplaces can help manufacturers reach foreign customers without building retail networks from scratch. Yet shoppers compare prices, range and reviews quickly, while established brands may inspire greater confidence about repairs and replacement parts.
Regulation adds another layer. Rules governing electric scooters differ across countries, affecting speed limits, road access and required approvals. Products may need different specifications to meet local requirements, and compliance does not end when a shipment clears customs.
LEQI has experience navigating these issues. In a 2023 review, German technology publication heise described the LEQIsmart A11 as one of the few Chinese scooters with Germanyโs Allgemeine Betriebserlaubnis, or ABE, road approval.
Each market brings different requirements. Understanding local expectations and providing support after a sale may be as important to overseas expansion as the vehicle itself.
New Capital, Bigger Ambitions
In March 2026, LEQI completed a Series B funding round backed by Xiaomi Group and Shunwei Capital.
The funding would support research into higher-power-density electric-drive systems, AI-based real-time decision-making and adaptive control, and next-generation interaction systems. It also plans to accelerate overseas expansion and strengthen global supply-chain and distribution networks.
LEQI may see its next stage as more than launching new products. It needs the engineering, manufacturing and distribution capabilities to support them across markets.
The Test After Launch
LEQIโs story reflects a broader challenge for Chinese hardware makers: manufacturing and engineering expertise can bring products to market, but they do not automatically create global brands.
The L3 suitcase illustrates how LEQI is exploring new ways to combine mobility with everyday objects, while its scooter business provides an established product category. Whether these directions become a durable advantage depends on execution: products must meet local rules, perform as expected and remain practical to maintain.
Rankings and design awards can draw attention. Building a lasting international business takes something less visible: products that fit into peopleโs lives, backed by service that keeps them working long after the novelty wears off.