In 2005 the Qianjiang (QJ) group, leader in producing and selling motorcycles in China, acquired the Italian Benelli company to expand its business in the western market.
The two companies made contact for the first time in June 2005.
They were looking for an agreement that matched their relative strengths. Benelli had a trademark, knowledge of Western markets, as well as projection skills, while QJ had high-efficiency plants and low production costs.
In September a deal was reached with the founding of Benelli QJ srl. Industrial activities began in October 2005.