Taipei AMPA 2009 Registers Higher Exhibitor Number

As of the writing of this report on the Taipei AMPA 2009, held April 14 to 17 at the TWTC (Taipei World Trade Center) Nangang Exhibition Hall, the global automotive landscape has been changing. GM filed for Chapter 11 on June 1. Penske, the second-largest car dealership in the USA, is buying the Saturn brand under GM. Even the machismo Hummer line has reportedly found a buyer in the form of a heavy industrial firm in China. And Chrysler has been sold to the Cerberus Capital Management after the Canadian auto parts maker's failed bid. And Mitsubishi in Japan is busy launching a fully electric car ahead of Toyota. And some insiders say the American automakers will never be the same, unlikely to return to the days when their output exceeded demand.

Amid modest signs of a global economic recovery with rallying securities markets, stronger new car sales in Taiwan lately, and judging from the increase in the exhibitor number this year, the atmosphere at the Taipei AMPA 2009 was upbeat.

Five Taiwanese exhibitors, namely Hwang Chern Bin Specialty Tools Inc. (HCB), Tso Racing Co., Ltd., Yuholi Co., Ltd., V-Tech Auto Parts Industry Corporation and Jin Ford Auto Parts Corp., were interviewed on the showground about the market outlook. Each had different opinions, but they shared similar optimism more or less toward the industry.

Tso Racing

Tso Racing also sees promise in AM (aftermarket) auto parts, and has been expanding its product range to counter the hardship in the line, according to Ken Tso, general manager of the firm.

Founded in 1990, Tso Racing specializes in manufacturing and designing AM auto tuning parts, including front strut bars, magnesium alloy and aluminum front strut bars, adjustable fuel pressure controllers, sequential blow-off valves, gear shift levers and knobs, horn button trim covers, wheel bearing spacers, front strut tower brace, adjustable rear double-wing spoiler, engine fittings and parts, auto accessories, remodeling parts, exhaust system parts, exhaust pipes and related performance parts.

Tso Racing has invested ample resources to develop auto fasteners, the latest of which are "Racing Units." Of titanium alloy, these Racing Units are extremely light and perfect for racing cars, Tso noted, as the lighter a racing car is, the better for performance. "One set of Racing Units weighs only 1.8kg, lighter than any auto fasteners made of conventional metals," he said.

Another of Tso Racing's innovative products is the Car Body Revolutionary Kits, which contain several fasteners that are all made of stainless steel and improved with special washers for minimal noise and enhanced performance, Tso said. Tapping its excellent production capability and precision machinery, the company turns out products in various colors, hence meeting demands for truly high performance parts that also look good. "These new products are a success based on their popularity with visitors at the Taipei AMPA," Tso said. "By offering a wider product range, Tso Racing is confident to weather the downturn relatively unscathed."

Yuholi

As one of the most specialized makers of timing components, Yuholi hasn't been impacted by the recent downturn as severely as expected, and is well on its way to solidify its role as a top-notch OEM (original equipment manufacturer) and OBM (original brand manufacturer) in the global market, according to Danny Yu, general manager.

This maker, headquartered in Taoyuan County, northern Taiwan, with a production arm, Zhangzhou Yongqi Machining Co., Ltd. in China, is a seasoned maker of timing components and brake system parts, including brake and clutch master cylinder repair kits, clutch repair kits, timing belt tensioner and chain guides, wheel cylinder cups, wheel cylinder cup kits, disc brake seal kits, etc., with OE (original equipment) parts accounting for over 90% of output, AM parts under its own Yuholi brand and Hasaki for the remaining, according to Yu.

"Insisting on offering top quality is the best policy for Yuholi," Yu said. "We focus on improving material and surface finishing technologies, aiming to make sure each part is durable and properly finished." Besides, the company is skilled at mold development and assures customers production efficiency and flexibility. In short, Yuholi boasts the best merits of Taiwanese manufacturing, being earthy, skilled and reliable.

V-Tech

Few Taiwanese engine gasket suppliers can hold a candle to V-Tech in terms of professionalism, as the time-tested company has been in the field since 1966. Having unparalleled experience has helped the company to weather the ups and downs over the past four decades, according to Marina Liu, V-Tech's vice president.

V-Tech turns out a wide range of auto parts, including engine overhaul gaskets, valve cover gaskets, oil pan gaskets, engine repair gasket kits, cylinder head gaskets, cylinder liners, oil seals, washers, exhaust manifold gaskets, intake manifold gaskets, valve seals, nozzle tube engine fittings, heavy machine gaskets, exhaust manifolds and other engine parts, which are sold under its own V-Tech brand, mostly for Japanese makes and models that are well received worldwide, especially in the Middle East, indicated Liu.

"Customers believe in the V-Tech name that is backed by 40-plus years of experience," Liu said. "They know that the company conscientiously focuses on the best quality and offers the most satisfactory service. We do so by dutifully, periodically upgrading, calibrating our inspection instruments."

Jin Ford

Meeting potential new buyers and signing up new orders at the Taipei AMPA this year, Jin Ford's sales manager C.M. Chen also looked upbeat when interviewed.

Jin Ford, located in Taichung County, central Taiwan, has been producing engine valves, valve seats and valve gauges on the OEM and ODM (original design manufacturer) basis, as well as focusing on the global AM parts market, for decades. Recognized for its strong commitment to quality, the company has successfully extended its reach to Latin America, Southeast Asia and the Middle East.

Chen noted, "To make sure our valves entirely meet DIN and JIS standards, we insist on importing special steel materials from Germany and Japan, which help us to effectively earn trust among our customers."

Jin Ford also realizes the importance of expanding production technologies to help it sharpen competitiveness amid a shrinking auto parts market. The company is one of the few Taiwanese valve makers capable of turning out large-sized valves that are made for watercrafts and marine vessels, according to Chen.