A Taiwanese delegation consistings of representatives from the island's makers of automobile, PTW (powered two-wheeler)motorcycle, and related parts makers recently visited India to and discuss cooperation possibilities with called upon seven complete auto/ and motorcycle makers there for future's possible cooperation ties.

The trip was organized by the delegation was mediated by Taiwan External Trade Development Council (TAITRA), the goal and aimed to develop business in both the original equipment (OE) and aftermarket (AM) auto/motorcycle parts sectorsbusinesses in the burgeoning e India marketpotential market.



Mmembers in the Taiwanese delegation were representatives from many leading local firms participated in the forayrelated leading makers, including complete-auto maker Yulon Motor Co. (whosein partner isship with Nissan of Japan), complete-PTW (powered two-wheeler) maker Sanyang Industry Co. , Ltd. (SYM brand), and and leading OE parts suppliers such as Shihlin Electric & Engineering Corp. (maker of electric parts), China Engine Corp. (complete auto engines), E-lead Co. (auto electronics), Hamg Shing Technology Corp. (auto telematic systems), Kaifa Industry Co., Ltd. (shock absorbers), Nan Hoang Traffic Instrument Co., Ltd. (friction materials and parts), Tung Pei Industrial Co., Ltd. (bearings), Yuan Cherng Industry Co. Ltd. (rubber parts), Auto Parts Industrial Ltd. ((API, sheet-metal body parts), Whetron Industrial Co., Ltd. (vehicle- security systems, central locks), Zoeng Chang Industry Co., Ltd. (transmission gears, forgeding parts), and Ever Camel Plastic Ind. , Co., Ltd. (molds, plastic-injection parts). Etc. The delegation's scale of the trade-seeking venture has been a rariety in was rarely seen in recent years, say TAITRA officials say.

According to TAITRA, the trip was arranged after an initial successful exploratory trip by TAITRA staff to council dispatched several staff to first contact with all the leading auto and motorcycle makers in India. And won hot responses from them thus to successfully mediate the delegation.

The delegation called on the up those major transportation vehicle makers, including the top-three leading auto makers, Maruti Udyog, Tata Motors, and Mahindra & Mahindra (M&M), on ; Fiat's India operation, on the No. 2 PTW maker Bajaj Auto, and on leading PTW brands such Kinetic and Hero Motors, two other significant PTW brands. All the major companies conduct face-to-face negotiations with representatives of the Taiwanese delegation and proposed many needed items for future's possible cooperation ties with the Taiwan companies.



For its part, Tata , for example, conducted detailed business negotiations with representatives of 15 Taiwan companies on a range of matters, including the in the delegation for outsourcing of complete automobile engines, auto lamps, and mold products for its scheduled mini-size gasoline/ and diesel passenger- car models. Fwith a eye on the developing trend that the four-wheel vehiclescars are gradually replacing India's ubiquitous the three-wheel vehicles in India, and Tata plans to push several 500cc, 20-horsrsepower mini- car models starting in 2007 as part of its X3 Platform Micro Project.

M&M, a major producer of multi-utility vehicle (MUV) and commercial- vehicle models, negotiated with 19 Taiwan companies on for possible cooperation ties in the future. ItM&M has provided the blueprints on numerous of needed products to 13 Taiwan companies, TAITRA officials reportsays, adding .

TAITRA officials say that M&M has moved along quickly in talks withalso specially required to conduct long-time and talks with Yulon and Sanyang, respectively, regarding its plans for over issues of the company's ongoing projects to produce sport- utility vehicle (SUV) models and the step into production of PTWs in the future.

Bajaj Auto dispatched a group of over 10 parts- procurement officials to negotiate with members of the Taiwan delegation representatives, and has invited its its OE suppliers in India to jointly map out possible cooperation ties with Taiwan firms.in the future.

At a trade- opportunity seminar held in Mumbai, according to TAITRA,, the Taiwanese delegation established contacts with a contacted with a total of over 200 interested Indian companies., starting unlimited cooperation chances in the future for the auto parts line in Taiwan and India. Stats provided by TAITRA show that

According to TAITRA, both the sales volumes for of automobiles and PTWs in the India market have been rising rapidly in recent years; . India's production volume for s of passenger cars and PTWs jumped to 606,000 units and 3.91 million units in 2003, respectively, from only 390,000 units and 1.38 million units five years ago. Currently, India is now the world's fifth-largest production center for nation of automobiles and the second -largest for of PTWs, and the nation's government has chosen the transportation-vehicle manufacturing sector the most important line slated for special development programs.

TAITRA hopes claims that the recent visit by the Taiwanese delegation will enable a beachhead to be is expected to set up in the booming a beachhead in the rising India market. Producers from other nations are sure to follow the Taiwan lead, so local producers must be aggressive and move quickly.and help Taiwan gain a solid base there amid fierce competitions come from worldwide.