| There were 790,400 locally produced motorcycles sold in the domestic market in 2005, edging up 0.8% from 2004 and hitting an 8-year high of its kind. Yamaha and Tailing posted the highest sales growth among local makers of motorcycles and parts.
With the government tightening up its grip on the consumer banking operations, young consumers are forced to cut their spending. This, in turn, is expected to undermine the local market for motorcycles, and total domestic sales are estimated at only 700,000 units this year.
There were several major events seen in the motorcycle and parts industry in 2005. Among them were that makers were actively developing sales to Japan; that Taiwan's makers were actively developing the world's first battery-fueled motorcycle, which is slated to be launched for sales in 2007; that the Industrial Development Bureau under the Ministry of Economic Affairs inaugurated an A-Team Alliance among makers of motorcycles and parts; that Kwang Yang successfully developed heavy-duty motorcycles on its own; and that Isuzu of Japan switched its production and R & D base for high-end motorcycles to Taiwan. |
