CIMEX Launches Promotion of Diana Motorbikes at Nearly $3,000: "We Are Thrilled"

The Cuban regime's corporation, CIMEX, has enthusiastically unveiled a new transportation option: Diana brand combustion motorbikes assembled in Cuba by the state-owned company CAISA. This is the same company responsible for the production of small buses. The price, however, is well beyond the reach of most Cubans and even surpasses that of many imported motorcycles. The Diana model is being sold at a hefty price of $2,840.

"We are thrilled to announce our new collaboration! From now on, the Automotive Transportation Division of Cimex.SA will offer the impressive combustion motorbikes from EPO CAISA," the corporation proudly shared on Facebook. In their post, the regime's enterprise highlighted the "features" of the bike, boasting a "classic design" and "exceptional performance."

The GN-125 model, described as highly "sought-after," will be available starting next week at Calle 20 between 1ra and 3ra in the Playa municipality of Havana. However, both CIMEX and CAISA's social media pages have been flooded with criticism regarding the pricing, with many users arguing that the motorbikes seem more like imports than local productions.

"What exactly did you manufacture since you claim to be producers? It seems more like an import and hoarding strategy," one user pointed out. Others noted that the importing and assembling process significantly raised the selling price, burdening the population, which lacks the resources to make such a purchase. "By passing the merchandise to a third party for sale without having their own store, the final product becomes more expensive, and as always, the people suffer... But I suppose no one really cares about that," commented another user.

The steep price was the main point of contention. Many forum participants observed that the Diana motorbikes were priced higher or on par with other imported motorcycles, like the Haojiang models, which CIMEX offers at $2,700. "A product assembled in Cuba that is much more expensive than all the options that can be imported with similar models. It makes no sense," one person remarked. Another added, "The blockade is internal. And it's something not even acknowledged."

This promotion of the Diana motorbikes comes just two weeks after the General Customs of the Republic of Cuba started processing imported combustion motorcycles through Aerovaradero S.A. This new measure allows for the purchase of these vehicles at cheaper prices abroad, bringing them into the country as unaccompanied baggage or shipments.

Cuban authorities claim these initiatives aim to "facilitate greater access to transportation means for society and to raise funds for the development of public transport and road infrastructure." Currently, a combustion engine moped or motorcycle up to 250 cc is valued at $850 by customs, while a motorcycle with a sidecar is priced at $950. An electric or hybrid tricycle with capacity for more than two passengers or cargo costs $550.