2012 Taipei AMPA and AutoTronics Taipei set new records

For four days record numbers attended the two shows that offered nearly everything about auto parts and accessories. The 28th Taipei International Auto Parts & Accessories Show (Taipei AMPA 2012) and the seventh International Automobile Electronics Show (AutoTronics Taipei) were held jointly at the Nangang Exhibition Hall and at TWTC Hall 1 (Area A) from April 11-14.

According to the organizer, Taiwan External Trade Development Council (TAITRA), the two shows attracted a best ever 45,000 international visitors, an unequaled number of participating countries, and a record of 6,027 foreign buyers from 126 different countries, a 15 % increase from the previous year.

The large turnout of international buyers is expected to have generated huge business volume. The five countries from which the most buyers came are Japan, China, the United States, Malaysia and South Korea, closely matching the list of major current export partners.

Following the massive earthquake and tsunami in 2011, there was a 30% increase in Japanese buyers this year, TAITRA said. In addition to both new and returning buyers from the United States, Europe and Japan, there were also many newcomers from South Asia (India and Pakistan), Russia and the Middle East (especially Egypt). According to TAITRA's survey findings, most buyers said product innovation at both Taipei AMPA and AutoTronics Taipei was the major reason they returned. Ninety percent of buyers were very satisfied with the show, according to the official post-event report.

Biggest Ever

The record 1,052 exhibitors and 2,841 booths once again showed that together these two shows are one of the largest automotive parts events in Asia and one of the leading fairs of its kind in the world. This year the Taipei AMPA, organized by TAITRA, and AutoTronics Taipei, organized by TAITRA and Taiwan Electrical and Electronic Manufacturers' Association (TEEMA), focused on energy saving and smart technologies.

As a response to last year's show where the high turnout left hundreds of exhibitors with insufficient venue space at the Nankang Hall, this year 300 additional booths were set up at the TWTC Exhibition Hall 1, Area A.

Coinciding with Taipei AMPA and AutoTronics Taipei, two other shows, 2012 Motorcycle Taiwan (the seventh Taiwan International Motorcycle Show) and 2012 EV Taiwan (the second Taiwan International Electric Vehicles Show), were held from April 12-15 at TWTC Hall 1, Areas B, C and D. The focus of both of these events was on hybrid vehicles, electric motorcycles, battery-driven electric vehicles, motorcycles and related components.

Together, these four shows are Asia's largest venue for the automotive, auto electronics, motorcycle and green vehicle industries. In 2013, the four shows will be held simultaneously during the same period, April 10-13.

Highly Internationalized: An Overview of the International Pavilions

Following the success of previous years, the Taipei AMPA and AutoTronics Taipei again attracted many international suppliers and manufacturers, the majority of which also participated in their national pavilions.

The scale of the Foreign Products Area grew 13%, according to TAITRA. National pavilions were set up by the Philippines, Thailand, Japan, South Korea and China. The main attraction of Taiwan for these international participants was the event's marketability due to the tremendous potential of Taiwan's auto parts and electronics sectors, the show organizer said.

The Philippines Pavilion, organized by the Manila Economic and Cultural Office, has been part of Taipei AMPA for many years. This year there were seven Filipino exhibitors in eight booths. The Thailand Pavilion, organized by the Department of Export Promotion, has also been part of the show for many years. This year there were 10 Thai exhibitors in 10 booths. There were also five Japanese exhibitors in 12 booths, ten Korean exhibitors in 15 booths, and 15 Hong Kong exhibitors.

One hundred companies participated in the two shows, and Chinese suppliers are confident of the business potential of the two-in-one event where there were ample opportunities to network with Taiwan's auto parts makers.

Hong Kong

Hong Kong is a rising star in the global auto parts industry due both to the massive demand created by China's auto manufacturing industry and its importance in global trading. This year Hong Kong had 20 booths.

United States

Highly successful auto parts makers from the United States, such as Winbo USA, Big Roc Tools and Waiglobal, showcased their cutting-edge products at 2012 Taipei AMPA & AutoTronics Taipei.

Innovations & Smart Tech

The 2012 Taipei AMPA & Autotronics Taipei offered a vast selection of energy-saving LED automotive lights, new materials, the latest in engine parts, suspensions, transmissions, brakes, tire pressure monitoring systems (TPMS), maintenance equipment, pneumatic tools, tires and rims, and automotive accessories.

At this year's two-in-one event, four new exhibition areas were set up: "Tuning and Restyling," "Engine Parts," "Chassis Systems" and "Automotive Frames and Parts.” These areas were in addition to the original ones: "Auto Parts," "Auto Accessories," "Tuning Equipment," "Repair and Maintenance," "Automotive Electronics Finished Products," "Automotive Electronics Components" and "Foreign Exhibitors." Together, these exhibition areas show the comprehensiveness of the auto parts supply and value chains on the island.

This year's event featured many big local names such as TYC Brother, DEPO, Eagle Eyes, Gordon, JUST TOP, Sonar, Sirius, Nan Hoang and Hota. These famous Taiwanese makers showcased their latest eye-catching products such as LED auto lights that meet environmental needs, engines featuring new materials and qualities, suspension systems, driveline systems, brake systems, TPMS, maintenance equipment, air tools, tires and wheels, and auto accessories.

Vehicle safety was the focus of 103 exhibitors and 222 booths. These exhibitors include the Taiwan Automotive Research Consortium Pavilion, Mobiletron,

Tung Thih, E-LEAD, WHETRON and GWINSTEK who showcased the latest automotive-electronics components and systems for automobile frames, automotive semiconductors, inspection equipment and services, and in-car entertainment and security systems. Taiwan is the perfect match for these technologies: electronics, its largest industry sector, makes it a natural choice for the manufacturing of information and communication technology (ICT).

Diversified Events

Thanks to its reputation as a leading event in Asia, the 2012 Taipei AMPA and Autotronics Taiwan attracted record numbers of foreign buyers, including representatives from companies with annual revenues of more than US$50 million: Michelin U.K., BMW Germany, Mitsubishi Philippines, Behr GMBH of Germany, FAW Auto Group of China, Valeo France, Lordco Parts of Canada, Leopold Kostal GMBH of Germany, Wabco Fahrzeugsysteme GMBH, Hama GMBH, Nissan Automobile, Autonet Import of Romania and Radec S.A of Mexico. TAITRA also helped to organize a series of one-to-one trade meetings to create more lucrative business opportunities for buyers and exhibitors. Approximately 800 talks involving some 100 participating companies were arranged this year, according to TAITRA.

The major theme of this year's Auto Parts and Automobile Electronics Forum was "Innovating for a Better Tomorrow." TAITRA invited leading representatives from international companies to give speeches and hold discussions with the audience. The list of speakers included David Xu, executive vice president of Bosch (China) Investment Ltd.; Kevin Yu, director of Asia Pacific at Tesla Motors, an internationally renowned manufacturer of electric vehicles; Philippe Halot, commodity purchasing director of Faurecia, a Tier 1 automaker in France; Francis Foo, marketing director of Infineon Technologies Asia Pacific; Hong-fe Tien, deputy director of the Planning Department at First Automobile Works; Vivek Vaidya, vice president of Automotive Practice at Frost & Sullivan; and Antonio Radaelli, infotainment BU director of the Automotive Product Group at STMicroelectronics.

2012 Taipei AMPA & AutoTronics Taipei Profile
Description		2013*		2012	2011
Exhibitors		1,100	5%	1,052	1,027
Booths		3,000	6%	2,841	2,701
Visitors	International	6,500	8%	6,027	5,262
	Domestic	45,000	13%	39,986	24,401
* Estimated. Source: TAITRA

2012 Taipei AMPA/AutoTronics Taipei Exhibitor Profile
Rank	Country	No. of Booths
1	Taiwan	2,644
2	Mainland China	110
3	Hong Kong	17
4	Korea	13
5	Japan	12
6	Thailand	12
7	Malaysia	9
8	Philippines	8
9	United States	6
10	Indonesia	4
11	India	2
12	Vietnam	2
13	Mexico	1
Source: TAITRA.

2012 Taipei AMPA/AutoTronics Taipei Exhibitor Profile
Zoning	No. of Exhibitors	No. of Booths
Auto Parts Area	406	1,320
Auto Accessories Area	164	478
Automobile Frames & Parts Area	6	9
Engine Parts Area	11	36
Chassis Systems Area	11	43
Repair & Maintenance Area	74	206
Tuning & Restyling Area	99	321
Automobile Electronic Products Area	76	174
Automobile Electronic Components & Parts Area	27	48
Foreign Products Area & China Pavilion	167	196
Media & Association Area	11	10
Total	1,052	2,841
Source: TAITRA.