Taiwan auto parts delegation to visit European automakers in April

Taipei, March 26, 2004 (CENS)--Under the arrangement of Taiwan External Trade Development Council (TAITRA), a delegation of 17 Taiwan auto parts makers will visit many auto and parts makers in Europe from April 25 to May 8 to explore the European market.

TAITRA recently held a pre-trip meeting in Taipei with the 17 local auto parts makers, including Whetron Industrial Co., Ltd. (electrical parts), National Aerospace Fastener Corp. (high-level fastener), Tung Pei Industrial Co. (bearings), Nein Sunering Enterprise Co., Ltd. (auxiliary lamps), Bcom Electronics Inc. (car PCs), Needle Roller Bearing Co., Ltd. (bearings), Dainty Electric Co., Ltd. (automobile electronics), World Known Mfg. Co., Ltd. (machining parts), Ton Rong Machinery Factory Co, Ltd., Chian Hsing Forging Industrial Co.,Ltd., Chian Hsing Forging Industrial Co., Ltd., and Nan Hoang Traffic Instrument Co. (brake shoes and pads).

According to TAITRA, the auto parts delegation will visit major carmakers and parts makers in Sweden, Germany, the U.K. and Italy to seek possible OE supply businesses.

A TAITRA official said that the OE business is the final goal for local auto parts makers determined to boost quality standard and expand operation scales. Most local auto parts makers used to concentrate on the small-volume and large-variety production mode, which is quite suitable for the aftermarket (AM) auto parts and accessory sales.

With the euro appreciating rapidly to a new high level, TAITRA said, more and more European auto makers have expanded, or are trying to expand, their parts procurement from suppliers in Asia with competitive prices and quality. Until now, the council said, it has won friendly responses from about 10 big international makers in Europe, which expressed willingness to welcome the Taiwan auto parts delegation for possible cooperation ties, including Volvo Trucks, Scania, Ford Europe, Opel, DaimlerChrysler, Fiat, Morgan, Honda U.K., AGCO, MG-Power etc.

TAITRA said that most of the delegation members deem that such trade-development activities would further upgrade the international reputation of Taiwan auto parts makers and consolidate their positions in the international market.