King Liu, the man who founded and turned Giant into the world's largest manufacturer, has passed away

The international cycling sector bids farewell to King Liu, founder of Giant, who passed away on February 16 at the age of 93. With his death, one of the most influential figures in the industrial transformation of the bicycle in the last five decades disappears, and he was the driving force behind what is now considered the largest bicycle manufacturing company in the world.

King Liu, founder of Giant and global reference in the cycling industry, passes away

Liu founded Giant Manufacturing Co. in 1972 in Taipei, at a time when Taiwan was trying to consolidate its industrial fabric and shed the label of low-cost production. From the beginning, he aimed to raise quality standards and develop a proprietary brand, a strategy that proved key in positioning Giant as a central player in the global cycling chain.

Under his leadership, the company evolved from an emerging manufacturer to an international giant, with a presence in major markets and a decisive role in the technological development of the sector. His vision combined productive innovation, international expansion, and a strategic view of the bicycle not only as a sports product but as a solution for contemporary mobility.

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Beyond the numbers, Liu became the visible face of cycling culture in Asia. Interestingly, it was not until after his seventies that he began to cycle regularly. In 2007, at the age of 73, he completed a full tour of Taiwan by bicycle on a route of over 900 kilometers. That experience marked a personal turning point, and the founder of Giant also became a symbol of active and healthy cycling.

In the following years, he repeated long-distance challenges both on and off the island, including routes in China, Japan, and the Netherlands, always with the message of using the bicycle as a tool for health, sustainability, and social cohesion. His figure transcended the business realm and became integrated into the institutional discourse on mobility and the environment in Taiwan.

King Liu leaves behind a consolidated multinational and a Taiwanese industry that today occupies a strategic position in the global market. He also leaves the idea of the entrepreneur who decided to get on a bicycle to lead by example and who defended until the end that cycling should be part of daily life.

The announcement of his passing coincides with the Lunar New Year period, so the company has communicated the news with discretion and respect for the family. Commemorative events are expected to be announced in the coming days.

With Liu's passing, the industry loses one of its great architects. His influence is not only measured in millions of bicycles produced but also in the consolidation of the bicycle as a global tool for mobility, sport, and lifestyle.