TAITRA Organizes Auto Parts, Auto Electronics & Motorcycle Triple Show in April 2008

Three top automotive and motorcycle trade shows will take the stage together in Taipei this April, promising an unprecedented opportunity for industry buyers and sellers.

The Taiwan External Trade Development Council (TAITRA) recently announced that the 2008 Taipei Int'l Auto Parts & Accessories Show (Taipei AMPA 2008), 2008 Taipei International Automobile Electronics Show (AutoTronics Taipei 2008), and Taiwan International Motorcycle Industry Show (Motorcycle Taiwan 2008) would be held together at the Taipei World Trade Center (TWTC) Exhibition Hall 1 and the brand-new TWTC Nangang Exhibition Hall from April 9 to 12, 2008.

Aiming for 1,500 Exhibitors

The TWTC Nangang Exhibition Hall is the largest show venue in Taiwan, with a capacity to host 2,400 standard-sized booths, double the number that can be accommodated at the TWTC Hall 1. It is expected that the three events will attract more than 1,500 exhibitors to showcase their quality and innovative products at about 3,500 booths.

By bringing a wide array of exhibitors together, the show will offer unparalleled convenience, claimed Walter Yeh, executive vice president of TAITRA.

The conjunction of Taipei AMPA and AutoTronics Taipei is especially noteworthy as it reflects the remarkable vibrancy and convergence of Taiwan's auto parts and information and communication technology (ICT) sectors. Both industries have been using the TWTC show platform extensively to raise their profile in the global market, Yeh added.

Asia's Largest Auto Parts Event

Taipei AMPA is the largest show for automotive components, and the best aftermarket automotive exhibition in Asia, offering comprehensive lines of products including auto parts and accessories, tools, equipment, etc. TAITRA has organized the event for 23 years, and for the next show it expects over 800 exhibitors and 2,350 booths.

Visitors can find almost any auto part at AMPA, such as engine parts and fittings, body parts, steering systems, electronic parts and accessories, auto repair kits, auto maintenance and repair equipment, power transmissions, interior and exterior auto accessories.

AutoTronics Taipei, jointly organized by TAITRA and Taiwan Electrical and Electronic Manufacturers' Association (TEEMA), is arguably the most professional auto-electronics trade show in Asia.

Where the Pros Go for Auto Electronics

Though South Korea and mainland China host events presenting automotive electronics, none focus exclusively on this sector like AutoTronics Taipei, said Yeh. AutoTronics Taipei has already signed up more than 110 exhibitors (about 300 booths), which drove the show to further expand into two show areas at the TWTC Exhibition Hall 1, compared to just one in 2007. It is expected that in 2008, as many as 200 exhibitors will display their products at 430 booths, a growth of 18% and 13%, respectively, over the previous show, TAITRA said.

The 2008 show will also feature a Telematics Pavilion and Safety & Security Pavilion to enhance Taiwan's position as a world leader in the 3C (Computer, Communication, Consumer-electronics) industry, TAITRA said.

The exhibit profile of AutoTronics Taipei includes such products as telematics and drive information systems, auto body electrical systems, safety systems, security systems, engine management systems, power train systems, brake control systems, suspension & chassis systems, automobile electronic products, automobile electronic components & parts, and automobile semiconductors. GPS systems from upstream to downstream suppliers will also be on display. Some global-leading players, such as Mio, which is among the world's top-three personal navigation device (PND) brands, have already booked space at AutoTronics Taipei 2008. Two other industry heavyweights--TomTom and Garmin--are also planning to join the show, Yeh said. Other famous exhibitors who will be at the show include Renesas Technology, E-lead, Mobiletron, and Fujitsu Microelectronics.

Asia's Most Comprehensive Motorcycle Show

As Taiwan has been a key development and manufacturing base of high-quality motorcycles, scooters, all terrain vehicles (ATVs) as well as parts and accessories, TAITRA decided to spin off the Motorcycle Taiwan show as an independent annual fair in 2006.

Motorcycle Taiwan is the only professional trade show that brings together suppliers representing a complete supply chain of the motorcycle industry, from components and parts to motorcycle assembling equipment inspection and repair equipment and vehicles. The show also serves as a bridge to facilitate the import and export of parts and accessories. The 2007 Motorcycle Taiwan, held in May at the TWTC Exhibition Hall 3, attracted 166 exhibitors and 370 booths. In order to meet demand for more space, the show will move to the bigger TWTC Exhibition Hall 1 in 2008, Yeh said. About 200 exhibitors are expected to display their products at about 500 booths at the 2008 event, he said.

The show will present a wide range of high quality products, including motorcycles, scooters, ATVs, electric motorcycles, power-assisted bicycles, engines and parts, motorcycle frames, parts and accessories, motorcyclists' accessories, noise and emission inspection equipment, maintenance equipment, parts and accessories, and manufacturing equipment. BMW, San Yang (SYM), Taiwan Golden Bee (TGB), and Tong Yah (Koso) are among some of the big names that will be joining Motorcycle Taiwan 2008.

One of the major features of this show will be the Showcase of Heavy-duty Motorcycles. In recent years, many domestic companies have started introducing various big-displacement motorcycles. After decades of lobbying, Taiwan as of November 2007 has allowed bikes with engine displacements of over 550cc to use expressways. The move is expected to fuel demand for larger motorcycles.

Aside from the displays, the three shows will present a number of industry forums and other events that are alone worth the price of admission. A short-list of these events includes the AutoTronics Forum, industry workshops and seminars, procurement seminars, one-to-one procurement meetings, new product announcements and AutoTronics Night, TAITRA said.

Eyes on Emerging Markets

Joe Huang is another industry expert that highly recommends the triple show in 2008. Huang is president of the Automotive Research & Testing Center (ARTC), steering chairman of the Taiwan Automotive Research Consortium (TARC), and chairman of the Automobile Electronics Consortium Taiwan Electrical & Electronic Manufacturers' Association (TEEMA).

Comprising four major research institutions, the TARC has been supporting the development of Taiwan's automotive industry. The member institutions include the ARTC, Industrial Technology Research Institute (ITRI), Chung-Shan Institute of Science & Technology (CSIST), and Metal Industry Research & Development Center (MIRDC).

According to Huang, the global spotlight of the automotive industry has been focusing on developing countries in recent years. New car sales in some major developing nations and regions, including mainland China, India, Latin America, and Eastern Europe, have grown by more than 12%. At the same time, Japanese and South Korean car makers are getting stronger, while America's Big-Three automakers are struggling with cost problems.

Competition between global automakers and tier-one suppliers is increasingly fierce, driving them to outsource a climbing ratio of parts, especially from Asian companies with good quality and cost-competitive products.

Taiwan not only supplies cost-competitive products, Huang stressed, but also benefits from rapid integrated research and development ability, excellent processing capability, and reliable partnerships. "These advantages will be readily apparent at the three shows," he said.

Solid ICT Industry Base, Powerful Propulsion for Auto Parts

Taiwan has a well-established reputation for supplying high quality ICT and electronic products, including notebook PCs, PDAs, cellphones, LCD TVs, GPS navigation devices, and DVD system. This success is built on comprehensive electronics and ICT supply chains, strict quality control systems, and strong R&D capabilities.

"More and more Taiwan Auto parts manufacturers are leveraging Taiwan's strong ICT/electronics backbone to add product value," Huang pointed out, "This will help Taiwan upgrade its already-strong auto parts business. Local manufacturers have been turning more automotive electronics parts and sub-systems in recent years, such as tire pressure monitoring systems (TPMS), telematics, CCD/CMOS cameras, in-car LCD displays, engine control units (ECUs), LED lighting, GPS navigation systems, and more. What we are seeing is the successful integration of Taiwan's ICT and auto parts industries."

Government's Role

Huang stressed that the local government is also sending positive and clear message in promoting such integration. The government has picked intelligent vehicles as one of the key industries for special development in the first stage of a national development plan through 2015.

Government-backed high-level research organization are also being recruited to promote development of the automotive and parts industries in Taiwan, including the four TARC members--ARTC, ITRI, CSIST, and MIRDC. According to Huang, these institutes are focusing on the development of active and passive safety systems, chassis and control systems, and clean and economical energy technology.

Huang said that visitors to AutoTronics 2008 would find an array of advanced products, such as hybrid propulsion systems, lane departure warning systems, lane-keeping systems, adaptive front lighting systems, LED lighting, smart air bags, night vision systems, fingerprint recognition keyless systems, and other achievements resulting from joint development efforts by R&D organizations and local private makers.