2011 Motorcycle Taiwan and EV Taiwan Drive Local Makers Ahead

The 6th Taiwan International Motorcycle Industry Show (2011 Motorcycle Taiwan) and first-ever Taiwan Int'l Electric Vehicle Show (EV Taiwan 2011), held April 14-17, were held simultaneously at the Taipei World Trade Center (TWTC).

The twin format event, according to organizer Taiwan External Trade Development Council (TAITRA), hosted 235 exhibitors across 648 booths, and drew 18,248 visitors (including 1,661 overseas buyers), indicative of sizable response from the industry and buyers.

Charles Huang, chairman of the Motorcycle Manufacturing Committee under the Taiwan Transportation Vehicle Manufacturers' Association (TTVMA), said at the opening ceremony that the local motorcycle industry is making headway in brand-marketing and original design manufacturing (ODM). Building on a solid foundation, the industry aims to make breakthroughs in product innovation and technology as bigger, cleaner powerstrains, he added.

Walter Yeh, executive vice president of TAITRA, said: "Despite its infancy, Taiwan's EV industry has developed a comprehensive supply chain of upstream parts and material suppliers to downstream assembled-vehicle makers. Coupled with capacities in the local information and communication technology (ICT) sector, Taiwan's EV industry has great potential to play a critical role globally."

Her Chee Industrial Co., Ltd.
The maker of Adly-branded vehicles showed its versatility by displaying a wide array of its core line of powered two-wheelers (PTWs) and all terrain vehicles (ATVs).

C.C. Chen, the chairman, unveiled its first pure-electric mini-car, able to cruise about 120 to 180 kilometers depending on number of batteries. The battery electric vehicle (BEV) adopts a 144V brushless motor to each top speed of 110 kilometer per hour (Kph), and can climb 15-degreee hills, superior to 6-degree capability of counterparts.

A 250cc sport-bike produced for Meqelli of England was also shown, reflecting the firm's strong OEM/ODM capability. Another notable display was the brand-new utility ATV with luxury features, including a powerful 600cc engine.

Taiwanese PTW makers have been battling underselling from Chinese rivals, but Her Chee, like many local counterparts, have been upgrading products by developing bigger engines, higher quality, better design and functions. In addition, he added, Her Chee has diversified to develop different kinds of vehicles as agricultural ATVs, motorcycles, electric and internal combustion engine (ICE) mini cars, e-scooters etc.

Aeon Motor Co., Ltd.
Another PTW maker who produces ATVs and UTVs (utility vehicles, or side-by-side in North America) under its own Aeon brand for international brands also expressed eagerness to leave behind underselling Chinese rivals.

The company displayed a unique three-wheeled scooter (two wheels in front, one rear). James Huang, the sales manager, said the new model, dubbed "Elite" (or Quadro 3D in Europe), is the joint effort with Marabesse Design of Italy.

Unlike the already successful predecessor, the Piaggio MP3, which has mechanically tilted front wheels, Huang said the Elite has a third-generation hydraulic tilting system for improved steering and riding stability.

The scooter with the Aeon-developed 313cc engine will be in stores this year.

Aeon is also promoting higher-end scooters in Taiwan, and has since 2010 launched several models featuring simplified or luxury designs.

Adiva Co., Ltd.
This maker of the internationally famous AD-series high-end scooters with the patented modular roof, the one that can be stowed in seconds inside the rear storage with the optional windscreen detachable, exhibited its new electric cargo vehicle.

Dubbed MOOSE, the e-cargo carrier is the product of several years of R&D and tests of tilting vehicles, said Jerry Huang, the service division rep. This little three-wheeled (one front, two rear) cargo-scooter or trike is designed for urban B2B (business to business) applications. The MOOSE is agile as a scooter but more stable with three-wheels, coupled with a 100-liter trunk.

The tri-wheeler has a roof, deflectors and wiper-equipped wide windscreen as well as easy cab access with riding position designed for extended commercial use all year-round. Its full-electric powertrain, 50-km cruise range, 60-kg maximum cargo-loading and reverse gear are also designed to suit various applications.

Adiva proudly announced at the show two major buyers: the Japan Post Service Co., Ltd. is using the CARGO 3 (MOOSE in Japan) as its first electric vehicle, and the French Post Office (La Poste), claiming the MOOSE is ideal to carry newspapers, letters, small parcels etc.

Universal Well Industry Co., Ltd.
A young Taiwan-based maker of e-vehicles under its own Uray brand that adopts many industry-leading ideas and concepts aims to differentiate from the many look-alike competitors in the e-PTW sector.

The company introduced a new, innovative all-electric motorcycle, the Pioneer 1.5, which may change consumers' narrow view of two-wheeled light electric vehicle (LEV). The electric bike has 45 kph maximum speed and 13-degree hill-climbing capacity, as well as trendy styling, multi-functionality (including off-road), digital speedometer, LED tail light and turn-signals and lightweight.

The Pioneer 1.5's intelligent propulsion system has ECO and SPORT gears—enabling extra-long range to 70 kilometers at 30 kph as well as sporty riding for eager riders. Powered by a 48V, 36Ah lithium-ion battery inside a finely-finished aluminum housing, this LEV is wall-outlet rechargeable with the military-grade connectors being resistant to dust and water.

The electric motorcycle has dual hydraulic disc brakes with 220mm front and 190mm rear discs, dual two-piston, high-performance calipers, as well as 14-inch aluminum wheels, higher ground clearance, multi-link suspension for enhanced suspension travel, and reinforced frame for better steering stability

Richard Hsieh, the president, claims the Pioneer 1.5 also has a built-in system to prevent unintended acceleration. Unlike most light e-scooters, the Pioneer 1.5 is very practical, able to cruise at 20 kph, climb 13-degree inclines with a 75-kg rider, which enables usage over most terrains, even gently rolling topography.

E-Ton Power Tech Co., Ltd.
The seasoned maker of e-scooters and ATVs in Taiwan has a new president. Tom Hsu took over the job in early April and said he will continue all of E-Ton's core businesses like ATV production, and focus on developing better, more practical e-scooters for the growing market. Hsu, before being asked to be president of E-Ton, was the man in-charge and project leader of e-scooter at the Mechanical & System Research Laboratories (MSL) of Industrial Technology Research Institute.

Very optimistic about the future of e-scooters, Hsu believes increasingly more gasoline engine scooters can be replaced by electric models to protect the environment while keeping personal mobility in cities. E-Ton will continue to develop more powerful e-scooters to meet global demands, he said.

Following the company's e-Mo, e-Mo Plus, and e-Mo XP e-scooters, E-Ton unveiled its latest EV6A, or "e-go" e-scooter with more powerful powertrain. The 87kg e-scooter has Standard and Power gears, with the Boost button pushed to activate the latter. Powered by a 48V, 2,000W brushless motor, the new scooter cruises about 50 kilometers, reaches 45 kph, and climbs 11.3-degree hills.

The e-MO Plus is available in white, red, black, and green and, according to the maker, is targeted at females, office workers, seniors and eco-conscious riders, as well as being the upgraded version of the e-MO, with upscale items as disc brakes, dual shock-absorber rear-suspension, tubeless front and rear tires etc.

The other significant scooter is the e-MO XP, developed in partnership with the major industrial conglomerate Matra of France, that is more suited for cargo delivery with lower clearance (achieved by smaller but wider tires), front and rear cargo carriers, and a more powerful 12-inch hub-motor etc. It has a 48V 15Ah LiMn2O4 battery that is 80% recharged in two hours and 100% in three hours, with a 45km range and top speed of 45 kph.

Kwang Yang Motor Co., Ltd. (KYMCO), DK City Corp., Contact Probes Co., Ltd. (CCP) etc. also showed e-scooters to reflect the growing group of players involved in the two-wheeled green sector.

E-Cars

Pihsiang Machinery Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
Pihsiang Machinery Manufacturing Co., Ltd. (PMMC) exhibited its Venus full-electric mini-car and the firm's patented DOSBAS safe battery system, claiming the Venus is the first and only electric car to be certified by the domestic Vehicle Safety Certification Center (VSCC) and Electronics Testing Center (ETC) in Taiwan. The Venus will be sold in Taiwan by the end of 2011, though several EVs (including the Venus) have passed stringent road tests in Europe.

The two-seat hatchback cruises 80 to 110 kilometers per charge, which takes 25 minutes only (from 90V to 250V) with PMMC's special charging technology. According to PMMC chairman Donald Wu, the Venus is ideal as an urban commuter with high mobility, eco-friendliness, easy-charging etc. Pricing for the Venus has not been publicized for the government has not mapped out subsidizing such vehicle in Taiwan.

The patented DOSBAS technology in PMMC's battery packs is a core technology, with the main feature being to protect each cell individually by a serially connected quick-blown fuse with or without a light-emitting diode (LED). According to Wu, the protected cells are housed in prismatic plastic boxes together with a voltage-balancing circuit. In addition to enhanced safety, the total cost of the system is significantly reduced by replacing only malfunctioning cells during maintenance.

"The DOSBAS safe battery system is devised as a trade-off among performance, safety, reliability and cost in battery systems for EV or hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) applications," Wu claimed.

Luxgen Motor
Luxgen Motor, a subsidiary of the local Yulon Group and a major carmaker in Taiwan, showcased its LUXGEN EV+ full-electric multi-purpose van (MPV) jointly developed with AC Propulsion Inc., a major California-based electric-vehicle solution provider.

The electric MPV has some key technologies including the traction induction motor, power electronic unit (PEU), lithium-ion battery pack etc. With maximum output reaching 150KW (about 201 hp), the MPV offers excellent performance and driving fun. The PEU integrates the traction induction motor's recharger and battery management system as the core power controller. The power regeneration system converts brake energy to recharge the battery. The LUXGEN EV+'s high-performance lithium-ion battery pack not only powers the car, but also diverts unused energy to the city grid, helping balance the peak and off-peak power resources.