BRP Breaks Ground on New Can-Am Electric Motorcycles Plant in Queretaro

As part of its re-entry into the motorcycle arena, BRP (the mother company of Can-Am) has broken ground on a new plant in Mexico. The factory will produce two new models of electric motorcycles—Can-Am Origin and Can-Am Plus.

The Querétaro, Mexico, facility will be erected next to the existing BRP campus where the Sea-Doo personal watercraft and Rotax engines are currently produced. Production is planned to commence in March 2024, with consumer deliveries slated for summer of 2024.

Under the BRP umbrella, the Can-Am brand was founded in 1972 as a motorcycle manufacturer, with a focus on motocross and enduro motorcycles. In 1974, Can-Am swept the top three places in the highly competitive AMA 250cc Motocross National Championship.

The Can-Ams utilized a rotary intake system, which gave their engines a distinct sound and performance. Can-Am also built and raced a road racing machine in 1983. In 1987, BRP stopped producing motorcycles and the Can-Am brand sat idle for 19 years until 2006, when the company began offering off-road vehicles.  

Now, 16 years later, BRP and Can-Am have decided to re-enter the two-wheel marketplace by focusing on electric bikes with production of the Origin and Plus motorcycles. The new facility is initially expected to create 500 jobs.

The factory is being designed and built with adherence to LEED practices, which promotes using sustainable materials (when feasible) and aims to reduce the carbon footprint of operations.