Taipei, Jan. 21, 2008 (CENS)--Yulon Motor Co. of Taiwan recently announced its plan to export locally assembled Nissan Cabstar 3.5-ton diesel-engine light trucks to Mexico with a scheduled annual volume of about 5,000 units.

Yulon Nissan, a joint venture between Yulon Motor Co., the local producer of Nissan car models, and Nissan Motor Co. of Japan, claimed that the export project is the largest 3.5-ton truck export program ever on the island, which is expected to add additional revenue of NT$3 billion (US$92.31 million at US$1: NT$32.5) per year to Yulon Nissan.

In the past, Yulon Nissan only exported small-batch locally produced passenger-car models to neighboring nations such as the Philippines and mainland China through Nissan`s sales channels. The local joint venture successfully persuaded Nissan`s Japanese headquarter to export locally made Cabstars by setting up major competitor Nissan Spain as the major production base of such light trucks.

Senior officials of Yulon Nissan pointed out that they are also actively trying to win chances of exporting locally made Cabstar trucks to other nations in Latin America by 2010. The company is very confident of the locally made trucks, which has to be built to take on the rough road and natural conditions in Mexico, including alpine elevations, simmering deserts, vast plains, and the corrosive sea air.

Other automakers in Taiwan also have been actively trying to striving for winning more export chances of their locally made products in recent years so as to elevate their equipment utilization ratios and cut costs amid the sluggish domestic market.

Ford Lio Ho Motor Co., the local subsidiary of Ford of the United States, for example, is expected to export about 15,000 locally made Ford Escape and the twin-born Mazda Tribute to major markets such as Japan, Australia, and New Zealand, as well as the new market Russia.

Kuozui Motors Ltd., local producer of Toyota car models, has been exporting Taiwan-assembled Toyota Altis compact sedans to neighboring Southeast Asia nations through Toyota`s global sales channels.

The Taiwan-based China Motor Corp., which locally produces Mitsubishi and Chrysler car models, has been exporting locally made Mitsubishi Zinger recreational/commercial van and Grunder medium sedan models to the Philippines, as well as the Veryca and Varica mini commercial vans to the Middle East, America, Africa etc. The company has also begun exporting locally made commercial vans (the Delica van model with minor styling modification) with Dodge brand logos to Mexico at an annual volume of 4,000 to 5,000 units.
(by Quincy Liang)