Taipei AMPA and AutoTronics Taipei 2011 See Sellout Capacity
More exhibitors seen from USA, SE and N. Asia and China
2011/09/08 | By Quincy LiangThe 27th Taipei Int'l Auto Parts & Accessories Show (Taipei AMPA 2011) and the 6th Taipei Int'l Automobile Electronics Show (AutoTronics Taipei 2011) wound down after being staged at the Taipei Nankang Exhibition Hall April 12-15, attracting 1,100 local and foreign exhibitors (up 4.5% from previous version) spread across 2,800 booths, up from 1,050 exhibitors and 2,730 booths from last year, according to the show organizer Taiwan External Trade Development Council (TAITRA).
The two-in-one automotive event, despite the recent quake and tsunami in Japan, attracted 5,300 foreign buyers, equaling that of last year.
TAITRA says that its original projection of a 10% growth in foreign buyers was dampened by the recent disaster in northeastern Japan, from where nearly a thousand buyers turned out regardless.
The show organizer claims the AMPA is Asia's largest and a world-caliber auto-parts show, which makes even a bigger impact by being held alongside the AutoTronics Taipei, Asia's first auto-electronics event that creates endless opportunities. The twin event is clearly popular based on the rising number of foreign exhibitors from the United States, Japan, Thailand, India, South Korea, Singapore, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, and China.
Statistics compiled by TAITRA show that the top buyer nations at Taipei AMPA and AutoTronics Taipei are Japan, the United States, China, Malaysia, South Korea etc.
Export Opportunities
Emphasizing the future potential of the twin shows at the opening ceremony, Premier Wu Den-yih said that the Economic Cooperation Framework Agreement (ECFA) between Taiwan and China that has become effective early 2011 will cut duties on some auto-parts exported from Taiwan to China to 5% and gradually eliminate the duties by 2012. Rear-view mirrors, window regulators, sunroofs, body parts, transmission gearboxes, wheels that were taxed between 6% and 10% will enjoy lower duties.
By 2012, Wu said that makers of such parts will save NT$220 million (US$7.3 million) in duties to achieve higher cost-competitiveness and perhaps create more opportunities.
Wang Chih-kang, chairman of TAITRA, expressed optimism about global competitiveness of Taiwan-made auto parts by reiterating the island's capacity for small-batch, large-variety production, production flexibility, rapid response, and innovation, all of which draw more buyers from Europe and the U.S. to source reasonably-priced, competitive products.
Taipei AMPA and AutoTronics Taipei are the most important shows of their kind in Asia and have grown steadily in size to reflect enhanced capacities in the local auto-parts industry. The twin event this year grew 4.5% in size and looks set to grow again the next year, said Wang.
C.M. Ou, vice chairman of the Taiwan Electrical and Electronic Manufacturers' Association (TEEMA), forecast the global production of automotive electronics to reach US$191 billion by 2012, urging local players to tap such opportunities in original equipment (OE) and aftermarket (AM) segments by keeping up with global developments of advanced automotive-electronic technologies.
National Pavilions
Some 1,100 companies from 11 countries spread across about 2,800 booths attended this year, with the exhibitor number rising by 5% from the previous edition. National pavilions were also set up by Thailand, the Philippines, Malaysia, South Korea and China, making the 2011 event the most globally-represented on record, TAITRA said.
The two-in-one event focused on three sectors: Applications of Automotive LEDs, Automotive Safety and Security, and New Energy for Automobiles, showing innovative capacities of Taiwanese manufacturers. The bigger names from Taiwan all turned out as exhibitors, including TYC Brother Industrial Company, Depo Auto Parts Ind. Co., Tong Yang Industry Co., Gordon Auto Body Parts Co., Tong Hong Automobile Parts Co., Just Auto Lighting Technology Co., Fu Bu Auto Parts Co., Tung Thih Electronic Taiwan Co., Mobiletron Electronics and many more.
The massive earthquake and tsunami in Japan are likely to divert orders to Taiwan suppliers, who can help hedge risks for new buyers.
In addition, the 2011 Taipei AMPA and Autotronics Taipei were scheduled earlier to occupy the slot ahead of the Auto Shanghai, staged April 19-28, to potentially draw more international buyers to Asia, TAITRA said.
Overlapping Events
Making April a month totally dedicated to the automotive trade was realized. From April 14 to 17, the first Taiwan Int'l Electric Vehicle Show (2011 EV Taiwan) and the 6th Taiwan International Motorcycle Industry Show (2011 Motorcycle Taiwan) were also held at the TWTC Exhibition Hall 1, covering plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs), battery electric vehicles (BEVs), electric scooters, gasoline-engine motorcycles and scooters, parts and accessories etc.
Recovery Good for Taiwan Makers
The global recovery, however slow and spotty, is driving significant demand for new cars especially in China, as well as aftermarket (AM) auto parts. In the third quarter of 2010, export value of Taiwan-made auto parts grew 26% over the same period of the previous year, and the value has continued to grow clearly in the fourth quarter of 2010 and the first quarter of 2011.
Meanwhile the steadfast green trend is fueling demand for eco-friendly auto parts. Examples at this year's show included Just Auto Accessories' energy-saving LED automotive lamps. Giantlight Traffic Supplies Instrument unveiled its latest GL-133L 90mm LED low-beam light which not only meets SAE DOT/ECE standards but replaces traditional 90mm halogen lights. Its special cooling chip enables the GL-133L to offer better heat dissipation, reduced light degradation and energy-efficiency.
The Defend Group's LED solar parking warning light is solar powered to work effectively at night, achieving worry-free operation without bleeding car batteries, as well as being suitable for cars, trucks, coaches and trailers.
Taiwan's effort towards hybrid vehicles utilizing new energy sources in recent years has helped build growth in downstream sectors, who now supply lithium-iron phosphate batteries, power storage systems, multi-stack battery applications, high-current/high-security lithium battery packs etc.
YT Stable Tech Corp. is a good example, having showcased its VBS kit designed for electric and hybrid vehicles, enabling automatic detection of vacuum in brake system booster to instantly increase such vacuum as necessary.
Safety First
Taiwan's world-class information and communication technology (ICT), semiconductor and electronic industries also help to strengthen the automotive safety and security product showings at the Taipei AMPA and AutoTronics Taipei, where a wide range of safety system components, tire pressure monitoring systems (TPMS), vehicle security systems, image sensors, back-up radars, head-up displays (HUD) and driving status display systems were displayed by leading companies as Tung Thih Electronic Co. (TTE), E-LEAD Electronic, Mobiletron Electronics Co., Photic Electronics Co. and Vision Automobile Electronics Industrial Co.
One-on-One Trade Meetings
Any truly business-minded buyer agrees that finding suitable buyers at a major trade event is often time-wasting and futile. This year some specially-arranged 233 one-on-one trade meetings were set up between procurement specialists and over 75 manufacturers, who were ready to listen to buyers with demanding specs. TAITRA said that in one day over US$48.3 million in business was generated.
Buyers from global firms took advantage of the trade meetings, including Magna (the world's fourth-largest, tier-one auto-parts supplier based in Canada), Mitsubishi Motors, Japan, Faurecia (a tier-one French supplier), AGCO (leading British vehicle group), Mahindra & Mahindra (leading carmaker in India), BEHR GMBH (a large vehicle parts supplier in Germany), Saud Bahwan Automotive, MMC Automotive etc..
Insufficient Venue Size
A reflection of the popularity of the two-in-one event, demand for space far outstripped supply so 60 manufacturers on the waiting list had to forego participation. TAITRA is trying to build temporary venues to house projected expansions for the next year, when the 2012 Taipei AMPA and AutoTronics will be held April 10-13 at the Nangang Exhibition Hall.
| Taipei AMPA Profile | ||||
| Description | 2011 | 2010 | 2009 | |
| Exhibitors | 1,100 | 1,050 | 993 | |
| Booths | 2,800 | 2,730 | 2,542 | |
| Visitors* | International | 5,500 | 5,350 | 5,207 |
| Domestic | 50,000 | 49,000 | 48,625 | |
| *: includes figures for AutoTronics Taipei 2011 Source: TAITRA | ||||
| Taipei AMPA's Exhibitor Profile | ||
| Zoning | No. of Exhibitors | No. of Booths |
| Auto Parts Area | 406 | 1,267 |
| Auto Accessories & Customized Performance Auto Parts Area | 243 | 744 |
| AutoTronics | 99 | 227 |
| Repair Service Equipment Area | 74 | 186 |
| Tires, Ring and Related Accessories Area | 16 | 58 |
| Hybrid/New Energy Vehicle Parts and Components | 13 | 18 |
| Foreign Products Area & China Pavilion | 145 | 163 |
| Media Area & Association Area | 9 | 9 |
| R Area | 22 | 29 |
| Taiwan SME Pavilion | 30 | 30 |
| Total | 1,057 | 2,731 |
| Overseas Buyers by Top-10 Countries | ||
| Rank | Country | Percentage |
| 1 | JAPAN | 21% |
| 2 | MAINLAND CHINA | 11% |
| 3 | UNITED STATES | 9% |
| 4 | MALAYSIA | 6% |
| 5 | THAILAND | 5% |
| 6 | SINGAPORE | 4% |
| 7 | KOREA | 4% |
| 8 | INDONESIA | 3% |
| 8 | AUSTRALIA | 3% |
| 9 | HONG KONG | 3% |