AutoTronics Taipei 2006 to Kick Off on Apr. 17 at TWTC

Taiwan' s first automotive electronics fair, the 2006 Taipei International Automobile Electronics Show (AutoTronics Taipei 2006) will be held on Apr. 17-20 in the Exhibition Hall of the Taipei World Trade Center. The show, which is to be an annual event, is being organized by the Taiwan External Trade Development Council (TAITRA) and the Taiwan Electrical and Electronic Manufacturers' Association (TEEMA).

TAITRA emphasizes that this will be the first, best, and most professional fair of its kind in Taiwan. The overall show will be divided into a number of themes: Telematics/Drive Information Systems, Automobile Body Electrical Systems, Automobile Safety Systems, Automobile Security Systems, Engine Management Systems, Power Train Systems, Brake Control Systems, Suspension and Chassis Systems, Automobile Electronic Products, and Automobile Electronic Components and Parts.

TAITRA wants all interested buyers, especially big ones from North America and Europe, to have a chance to participate in the new show, and has charged its 40 overseas branches with making it known all over the world. TAITRA hopes that more than 2, 000 foreign buyers and 60, 000 or so local visitors will attend.

Along with the AutoTronics show, TAITRA will also organize the 2006 Taipei International Automotive Electronics Forum and Procurement Meetings to be held during the exhibition period. Industry experts and top decision-makers from five major carmakers in the United States, Japan, and Europe will be invited to conduct in-depth discussions on major themes such as automotive multimedia entertainment, electronic navigation, and other major applications.

TAITRA notes that it hosted the first Taiwan Automotive International Forum & Exhibition (TAIFE) in October last year, inviting attendance by ranking officials from the world' s big automakers and tier-one auto-parts suppliers, including BMW, Delphi, Robert Bosch, Motorola Automotive, and Fiat, as well as representatives from leading information and communication technology (ICT) and automotive semiconductor makers such as Cisco, Ericsson, SCEI, Namco, and OTC wireless. TAIFE attracted representatives from more than 400 local companies to join discussions and attend lectures on market trends and product planning for the next five to 10 years.

During that event, according to TAITRA, Kieran O' Sullivan, corporate vice president of telematics, interiors and aftermarket as well as joint automotive chief for Motorola' s government and enterprise mobility solutions business, reported that his company is vigorously promoting its Seamless Mobility Project, the aim of which is to integrate information, telecommunications, and entertainment applications. Taiwan' s ICT makers, he said, are Motorola' s target partners in this effort.

Make Taiwan' s Advantages Your Own

TAITRA points out that Taiwan enjoys a number of competitive advantages in developing the automotive electronics business.

First, the island is a global sourcing center for electronics-related merchandise, with electronics exports growing 20.2% in 2004 to reach about US$86 billion. Taiwan is also a major importer of electronics products; overseas purchases in the line totaled US$60 billion that year, an 18.6% increase over 2003. The values are increasing annually

Second, Taiwan has a solid and integrated industrial infrastructure, with a complete supply chain incorporating core electronic technologies, that supports the continuous growth of the auto electronics sector. The island' s electronics industry is celebrated for its expertise in product innovation, cost reduction, and production flexibility, which helps to minimize production costs for auto electronics.

Third, Taiwan is the world' s gateway to mainland China' s huge auto market. The island' s strength in electronics manufacturing, coupled with a cultural, language, and geographic background similar to that of China, makes it unbeatable in this regard.

Fourth, Taiwan can maximize manufacturers' profits by playing a part in the international division of labor in auto electronics production. The island' s auto electronics industry is forging links with the world through OEM, joint venture, and R&D partnerships between domestic and foreign companies. There many examples of success in this, including partnerships between Toyota of Japan and Kuozui Motor of Taiwan; between DiamlerChrysler and the local China Motor Co.; between Renault and the local Yulon Motor; between GM and Yulon; and between Hyundai of South Korea and the local Sanyang Industries.

For further information, contact TAITRA at:

Website:
e-mail: autotronics@taitra.org.tw