Taiwan is known for innovating and manufacturing high-quality automotive parts and accessories at competitive prices.
The annual Taipei AMPA (international auto parts and accessories) trade fair is touted as the world’s leading automotive trade fair for those looking to buy products and parts on motorised wheels.
Organised by the Taiwan External Trade Development Council (Taitra), the four-day trade fair was held early last month.
Taiwan has a thriving motorcycle manufacturing industry, with Kymco and SYM being the dominant domestic brands to compete with Japan’s Yamaha Motor.
To put this into perspective, according to 2013 statistics, there were slightly over 15 million motorcycles in Taiwan’s population of 23.4 million. This means there are almost seven motorcycles for every 10 persons.
Su displaying the company’s I-Key immobiliser key system for motorcycles.
Among the exhibitors at 2015 Taipei AMPA was Chian-Yie Industrial Co Ltd which supplies parts and accessories for scooters and mopeds under its brand NCY.
These include wheels, ECU (electronic control unit), fuel supply systems, brake components and CVT (continuously variable transmission).
According to Chian-Yie Industrial general manager Chen Chung-Jung, about 60% of the products from the company’s three factories are exported.
“We have 20 CNC (computer numerical control) machines. Our main export market is Japan, followed by the United States,” said Chen.
Another innovative Taiwanese company was 3D King Co Ltd, which makes multi-functional jackets for motorcyclists.These award-winning jackets are designed with extra materials that provide face masks to cover the nose and mouth, glove-like folds to cover hands, and a backpack option.
“The jackets protect your skin from wind, dust and sun damage. They use quick dry and cooling fabric; so you won’t feel hot,” said 3D King general manager Yu Yu.
The jackets are priced from NT$1,500 (RM176) onwards. Meanwhile, for those looking to upgrade their carburetor equipped motorcycles, Eltronix Co Ltd offers its SparKing programmable digital CDI (capacitor discharge ignition).
Eltronix president Chamber Ling said SparKing can be used in single-cylinder motorcycles of 100cc to 250cc, and has a micro-controller as well as plug-and-play capabilities.
“The SparKing CDI provides a high-performance, programmable motorcycle engine ignition system,” said Ling.
Eltronix also offers its R2Power rectifier regulator for bikers who want improved power efficiency and extended battery life.
As for those who want higher performance and fuel efficiency from their fuel-injected bikes, IC Leader Technology Corp Ltd offers its EZECU range of after-market ECUs for fuel injection and ignition systems.
The EZECU brand is readily identifiable by a Taiwan Black Bear graphic.
The company’s head Webb Tang said the ECUs are easily installed and are plug-and-play ready. Prices start from NT$9,500 (RM1,113).
“We have more than 45 types of ECUs. Research and development, design and production are all done in Taiwan,” he said. While many of the ECUs are for fuel-injected motorcycles under 250cc, there are also units for more powerful bikes like the 530cc Yamaha TMAX.
“Many racing teams in Taiwan use our ECUs. In Malaysia, it is a popular after-market choice for the Yamaha FZ150i,” said Tang.
Meanwhile, Accel Technology Corp is known as the industry leader in Taiwan when it comes to small after-market components such as plugs, covers, nuts, caps, spacers, screws and bolts on a motorcycle.
Set up in 1995, the company’s 18 CNC machines also help to produce metal rollerblade guards. Motorcycle parts include brake line and rotator clamps, oil filter covers, engine plug kits, clutch and folding levers, mud flaps, lever blades, chain rollers, axle blocks and sprockets.
According to Accel Technology CEO Alex Liu, about 90% of production is exported to the United States, Europe and Asia. Liu said Accel Technology’s advantages lie in its parts design and customisation capabilities.
Chian-Yie Industrial general manager Chen showing the parts and accessories for scooters and mopeds sold under its NCY brand.
The trade fair also had exhibitors like the Aixstream group which offers a range of helmets, footwear and apparel for motorcyclists.
Based in France and founded in 2009, the group has brands such as Astone (helmets), V’Quattro Design (footwear and gloves), Overlap (jeans) and Octopuss (waterproof bags).
“Our products are certified in Europe and tested for abrasion, shock and perforation. The materials used, stitching and technical designs are geared for bikers,” said Aixstream group partner Philippe Secchi.
We also checked out Haihao Technology Co Ltd which makes motorcycle helmet visor wipers for better vision in rainy weather.
The company’s general manager Jerry Tseng said the helmet visor wiper uses a 6cm silicone-rubber blade, and is available with a remote control unit or fixed control buttons. It is lightweight (265 grams) and can run for eight hours, powered by four AA-sized alkaline or rechargeable NiMH batteries.
Another Haihao Technology product is its UPC-700 mini portable camcorder, which Tseng said is priced at NT$5,770 (RM675) per unit. The portable camcorder is waterproof, lightweight (50 grams), supports 32GB micro SD cards and records in high-definition 1080P or 720P resolution.
It can connect to Android devices and has a 1,000mAh li-ion battery for up to six hours of operation. The compact-sized portable camcorder can be hung on shirts or installed on car dashboards and even integrated into helmets.
“We have sold 20,000 units since its launch last year in Taiwan. Many were sold to the police force. The device is useful in recording evidence and mishaps,” said Tseng.
As for Wukawa Industry Co Ltd, it manufactures 12, 13 and 17-inch lightweight forged aluminium alloy wheels for motorcycles. Jasmine, a senior executive in Wukawa, said the wheels were mainly exported to the US, Japan, Thailand and Malaysia.
Meanwhile, those looking for an immobiliser key system can check out the I-Key from What-Trend Technology Co Ltd.
The company’s manager Tim Su said the I-Key can be installed on most motorcycles and is priced at US$40 (RM145) per unit. “It is similar to a car’s smart key and immobiliser system. For two years, we tested this on various models and brands of motorcycles. It was not easy!,” said Su.
Powered by a cell battery, the I-Key’s operational life is more than two years.
Keyword: Taiwan trade fair showcases competitive innovations