TGB Demonstrates 400cc Engine, Announces Ambitious Projects

Taiwan Golden Bee Co. (TGB), a specialized maker of motor scooters, all-terrain vehicles (ATVs), and continuous variable transmission (CVT) systems, recently announced that it has developed a high-performance 403cc engine in cooperation with Morini Franco of Italy.

TGB president George Lin says his company will incorporate the new engine in a series of new vehicles as part of an ambitious development project. The first such vehicle to be demonstrated is a road-ready 400cc utility ATV model.

"We're very confident that we are entering a stronger and more eyecatching business development period in the next few years," Lin says. "TGB is a market-oriented company with strong technical background built up over the past about three decades. With our new competitive engine, we are now more ready than ever before for fast-track growth."

TGB's stable of engines currently comprises 50cc, 90cc, 125cc, and 150cc PTW/ATV models. With the new 403cc model, the company is making a dramatic jump into the big-league market for large displacement PTW/ATVs, putting it into direct competition with leading international brands in Europe and Japan.

According to Lin, the new 403cc engine delivers about 30 horsepower. TGB drew on many of its technical strengths in the joint-development of the power plant, including the design modification that turned the original single-shaft drive model into double-axle model that enables an ATV to switch from two-wheel drive (2WD) to 4WD. Its know-how also contributed to the development of the CVT system for the new engine. TGB will soon begin local production of the engine and the CVT.



Ambitious Plan


The engine platform, Lin says, is TGB's ticket to the large engine-displacement market. "Our first step is to push a powerful ATV model into the global market, especially the U.S., where annual demand for such vehicles is about 800,000 units. We will look at both original equipment manufacturing (OEM) and own-brand sales," Lin says. "TGB has mapped out also a series ambitious projects, including large displacement scooter, motorcycle, and other-kinds vehicles. The company will continue to develop needed peripheral solutions, especially transmission systems, for future vehicles powered by the new engine."

Lin acknowledges the importance of technical abilities and right marketing policies to the success of his plan. He says that TGB is well prepared on both fronts, thanks to its long-term exporting of PTWs and ATVs, unmatched expertise in CVT systems, strong cooperation ties with most leading international PTW and engine makers.

TGB is the first and largest maker of CVT systems and parts in Taiwan. It originally depended on Italian technology, but over the years it has achieved full technical independence. The company has grown into one of the world's most important suppliers of such systems. Its share of the European market peaked at about 70%, but has retreated slightly in recent years due to the company's gradual withdrawal from the lower-end segment of CVT systems for 50cc scooters.

TGB's CVT systems are widely adopted by big international PTW makers, including most major brands in Europe. The company supplies high-level CVT systems for an 850cc ATV model of Vespa of Italy, an 810cc ATV model with engine supplied by Rotax of Austria, and many other models. Currently, TGB ships 600,000 to 700,000 CVT system assemblies to customers worldwide.

TGB is also a leading exporter of scooters and ATVs to Europe, the U.S., and Southeast Asia. Lin says that the quality of TGB's scooters and ATVs is equal to that of Japanese products, and their prices are much more competitive. According to Lin, TGB has long-term cooperation ties with many leading design studios and engineering center in Europe, which help develop state-of-the-art styling and market-trend-leading products to meet the market requirements. TGB currently exports about 42,000 to 43,000 scooters and ATVs per year.

TGB is very proud of the quality and durability of its vehicles as well as the company's strong system-integration capability. Lin explains that the firm's main advantages derive from the superb performance of the engines used in its vehicles, the sophisticated designs of its products, and its unrivaled after-sales service support. This quality and service, which has long been recognized by major customers in Europe and America, is achieved by strong R&D capability, outstanding manufacturing ability, and top-drawer system-integration expertise.

"The PTW line has high potential in Taiwan," claims Lin. "We have all of the right conditions to rapidly develop in this segment, including well-established central-satellite plant systems, strong R&D capability, and a mature industry infrastructure supported by other leading industries. Japan is a good example for Taiwan. PTW makers there stayed competitive despite increasing production costs by taking a leading role in the upper-end and larger-displacement segment with unmatched design, development and cost-control abilities, and by introducing high-end and high-quality products that their rivals in Europe and the U.S. were not producing."

Lin believes that the best way to improve R&D ability is make small improvements everyday. Pouring in more money for R&D is less effective, he says, than fostering a spirit of innovation among employees. In fact, TGB does spend heavily on R&D, and about one-fifth of the 250 workforce at its PTW/ATV production plant in southern Taiwan are R&D-related employees.

TGB runs another plant with about 200 workers in southern Taiwan's Pingtung, which manufactures CVT systems and related parts.



New Products


As part of its ambitious development projects, TGB has recently introduced several new products that the company expects to significantly boost sales.

One is the T400 high-level utility ATV model, which is powered by the company's latest 403cc engine and adopts a highly advanced shaft-drive system. The T400 is packed with luxury features to make it competitive not only on horsepower output but also in function and safety. The model has a 2WD/4WD-interchangable transmission that enables the vehicle run to run optimally and deliver the performance required by the rider. It also has four 25-inch x 12-inch tires, a space in the front bumper for a winch, double-A arm suspension system, a high-end differential, and double-front, single-rear (axle) disc brakes. TGB also has plans to make a sporty version of the T400 and is working on the transmission system.

Another recent addition to TGB's product lineup is the R50X 50cc sport scooter with racing design. The new model, according to company sales manager Franc Huo, was first demonstrated at the Munich PTW show late last year and has quickly won a hot market responses from buyers worldwide, with many placing orders during the fair. Huo adds that TGB is planning to push the R150X soon to meet strong market demand.

The R50X, designed by a European studio, adopts 13-inch aluminum wheel rims, front and rear disc brakes, and a top-end snake-type performance-tuning muffler. It has a full-function electronic meter with a built-in needle tachometer. There is also a large helmet compartment with installed cell-phone charger. One of the most prominent styling designs is the model's one-piece-formed head and tail lamps, adding a sporty but high-tech feel. The rear seat of the R50X can be replaced easily with a plastic cover of the same color as the scooter body: a nod to markets that only allow one rider of 50cc scooter models.

Another product that has made headlines is the company's long-term best-selling Delivery scooters, with engine displacement options of 50cc and 150cc. A few months ago, an American agent tested the 150cc Delivery in an 11-day, 3,000-mile coast-to-coast test (from New York to Los Angeles), following a course through a variety of road conditions, climates and altitudes. The scooter came through in flying colors, without any technical problems at all, showing its quality and durability. The test was reported by many state-level media during the run and further promoted TGB's brand image in the market.

The Delivery family has won plaudits in Europe and the U.S. for their outstanding utility, practicality, and durability. They also have a 150-liter cargo container for carrying goods and allowing for the placement of company logos and advertisements.