The social media publicity of a Chinese electric tricycle model that unexpectedly went viral overseas is driving export growth and customized product upgrades by the manufacturer, turning social media buzz into a momentum for global market expansion.

The viral electric tricycles are produced by Sichuan Kaixi Shuyu Motorcycle Co. Ltd., located in Anju District of Suining, southwest China's Sichuan Province.

The company expects exports to the United States (U.S.) to reach 1,000 units this year, saying the product's popularity overseas began almost by chance.

"At that time, a foreign influencer bought one of our electric tricycles. After bringing the vehicle back to the U.S., he posted a video, which somehow went viral. We later got in touch with him and sent several more vehicles to him for testing, and since then more and more overseas clients have reached out to us," said Tao Jun, manager of the company's overseas business department.

Initially, the products exported to the U.S. were no different from those sold in the Chinese market. However, as orders increased and more customer feedback came in through social media, the company began rolling out targeted upgrades.

"An interesting thing happened during our conversations with American clients. They said they would like to make the riding experience at work more enjoyable, so they asked whether the vehicles could be fitted with a Bluetooth speaker. We added one for them, which marked the beginning of our shift toward customization," Tao said.

What started as an unexpected online hit has since evolved into a proactive push into more overseas markets. The company has shifted from selling whatever was available to making products tailored to customer demand.

An electric tricycle priced at around 2,000 to 3,000 yuan (about 293 to 440 U.S. dollars) in the Chinese market now fetches several times that amount in the U.S. market, while demand continues to grow.

By the end of the first quarter of this year, the company's total orders had exceeded 23,000 units, up 30 percent year on year. Of those, around 3,000 units were exported to more than 30 other countries and regions across Europe, the U.S., Africa and Southeast Asia.

"We're setting up a research and development team to design products based on the specific needs of our clients. In the United States, the customers mainly require products with a stronger load-bearing capacity. In Southeast Asia, the customers tend to favor models with a longer battery range and greater cost-effectiveness. We now hold more than 20 patents, with more than 30 additional patent applications pending. Our next focus will be on developing the European and U.S. markets," Tao said.