About 14 years ago, Camco Auto Sangyo Co., Ltd. Became one of the first trading companies in Taiwan to specialize in auto parts and accessories for the performance-tuning market. Today, tuning parts and accessories account for about 65% of the company's revenue, and Camco is one of the best-known suppliers of such products worldwide.

Camco president Bruce Liu is confident about the prospects of the auto-tuning parts and accessories business, noting that global demand for such items has been rising along with the growing appetite of car buyers for better engine performance, more aerodynamic design, and unique exterior and interior styling.

Liu also believes that his company has a number of advantages over rivals, including its abilities to quickly grasp market trends and provide products in a timely manner to meet changing customer needs. The company has benefited, moreover, from its location in Taiwan, which Liu says has the best supply base for tuning parts and accessories.

Liu decided to switch the firm's focus to auto-tuning parts and accessories after discovering that mainland Chinese rivals were rapidly catching up with Taiwan in the market for traditional auto parts.

The decision has proven to be wise. Over the years, the company has gained a lot of experience and know-how in the tuning-parts market, and its customer base has steadily expanded.

From its position as a small and minor segment in the early 1990s, the auto-tuning parts and accessories sector has grown into a huge and comprehensive market that encompasses everything from car renovation to interior and exterior styling and aerodynamic design.

The tuning parts market is also quickly evolving with the introduction of new products and new materials, such as high-precision aluminum and carbon rear spoilers, Liu says. Such items, once used purely for looks, are now designed to improve the aerodynamic performance of vehicles. Liu notes other examples of innovation in the tuning segment, such as lightweight mufflers made of pure carbon fiber or titanium, and durable and lightweight engine compartment strut bars made of top-end magnesium alloy.
Camco's core competitiveness lies in its outstanding services, fast product development, quick delivery, and comprehensive product lines, Liu says. All of these strengths, he adds, result from the company's extensive experience, long-term relationships with suppliers, and sound financial backing.

Liu says that his management team constantly gathers information from customers, international auto-parts shows, and professional magazines in order to keep abreast of market changes. "The more you know about what is happening in the industry, " Liu says, "the more business opportunities you have."

As a trading company, Camco does not have any production facilities, but it closely cooperates with about 200 local mold/die developers and manufacturers, passing new ideas to these partners, who in turn develop concepts into finished products. The company also provides financial support to key partners to help them with product development.

This hands-on approach has proven vital to the success of traders in the tuning-parts and accessories market, says Liu. He notes that the segment is becoming more technologically sophisticated and constantly incorporates new materials, forcing suppliers and traders to continually source new and better items.

Camco recently developed a new series of items made of high-level carbon fiber, such as engine hoods, racing pedals, lamp rims, rear panels, and other accessories. According to Liu, Taiwan is still several years ahead of mainland China in the carbon tuning parts and accessories field, thanks to better manufacturing techniques and stronger product development capabilities.

Camco also recently introduced a full series of chrome-plated decorative parts and accessories for the 2005 Toyota Hiace van, as well as older Hiace models. According to Liu, Camco is the first Taiwanese company to introduce top-quality decorative accessories for the 2005 Hiace, now supplying chrome grills, door handle covers, side mirror covers, trunk lid covers, and corner covers for the van. All the chrome items meet original equipment (OE) quality standards.

Liu is confident about the competitiveness of Taiwan-made tuning parts and accessories due to their global reputation for high quality and reasonable prices. Taiwan's sound industrial infrastructure, including both an ample supply of high-quality materials and advanced manufacturing techniques, has helped local companies stay competitive in global markets, he says.