TAIPEI CYCLE 2010 sets new records amidst challenging global economic times

Taipei City, March 20, 2010 – The global cycling world met at TAIPEI CYCLE 2010 at the TWTC NANGANG Exhibition Hall. Exhibitors from a total of 36 countries with strongest attendance from Europe, the U.S., and the Asian markets are boasting with new products and innovation.

In total, 894 exhibitors (up 17.3%) facilitating 3,018 booths represented a 4.5% growth, compared to 2009. The record number of exhibitors for this year' s show saw an expansion to the fifth and sixth floors and a larger outdoor exhibition area. Preliminary attendance figures (3 days of 4 at the time of this release) for foreign visitors increased to 4,913 (an overall plus of 7.6 %) representing 86 countries (22 up from 09).

The increase in foreign visitors' attendance came especially from Asia, with China, Korea and Japan contributing strongest growth.  European attendance made up 20.8 %, followed by visitors from the America' s with a 13.4% share.

The total number of foreign and local media representatives stands at 423, foreign media increased by more than 30 %.

The show encompassed a wide selection of events from presentations, seminars, award ceremonies, a two-day Trend Forum and the Tour de Taiwan road race which ended today in front of Taipei 101. More than 15,000 consumers are expected today to attend the show.

Event overview
The 2010 show highlighted three main themes: Complete Bicycles, Bicycle Parts and Accessories, and Light Electric Vehicles (LEV' s). With growing interest on environmental issues LEV' s have skyrocketed in importance and TAIPEI CYCLE 2010 accommodated twice as much floor space as last year to this new boom segment.

The Taiwan External Trade Development Council (TAITRA), chief organizer of the show conducted an array of supporting events, including the International Bicycle Design Competition (IDBC) Award Ceremony, Taipei Power Forum-2010 LEV Symposium, an International Bicycle Trend Forum, Taiwan Cycle Night, an outdoor cycling test ride area, and a special exhibit of entries for the IDBC and the Innovative Products Competition Award.

International Bicycle Design Awards
The Grand Prize of the 14th IBDC went to Taiwanese industrial designer Hsi Huang for his 'Shopping Bike', a folding bike that transforms into a shopping cart. .The judges were impressed with the convenience and functionality of Huang's concept. The designer walked away with a cash prize of NT$500,000. The total prize fund this year was NT$1.175m. This year's competition attracted 720 registrations from 49 countries, demonstrating its widespread international recognition and importance. The 2011 edition of the IBDC is accepting entries starting from 1st April 2010.

Trend Forum
The 2010 International Bicycle Trend Forum covered two main themes, 'Effects on Global Bicycle Industry after the Copenhagen Climate Council' and 'When the Orient Meets the Occident – The New Aesthetic Mobility.' a panel of five speakers which included Ying-Ming Yang, chairman of the Taiwan Bicycle Exporters Association, Mathias Seidler, president of Derby Cycle Werke in Germany and Pei-Sheng Zhang, senior commis­sioner of the China Chamber of Commerce for Import and Export of Machinery and Elec­tronic Products.

Together with Dorel's CEO Martin Schwarz and Matt VanEn­kevort, managing director of FSA North America, they discussed the impact of last December's Copenhagen Climate Summit on the bicycle industry.

LEV
LEV's were a major focus of this year's exhibition. TAITRA partnered with the German Electric Bicycle Promotion organization ExtraEnergy and the Industrial Technology Research Institute of Taiwan (ITRI).

Together they organized the TEST IT outdoor LEV test track with some 20 companies providing test bikes for try-outs.  More than 350 visitors attended the Taipei Power Forum-2010 LEV Symposium on Thursday, March 18, an all-day event organized by TAITRA. The symposium explored future trends in the LEV industry looking at international markets, regulations and environmental standards. Auxiliary programs included an EnergyBus and  Power Lithium Ion Battery workshop.

Taiwan A-Team
Taiwan's A-Team meeting eyed rising labour cost in China as a critical element to maintain long term success. Taiwan's bike industry leaders and affiliated sponsor members, met on Thursday 18th and the discussions centred on the rising cost factors of wages and workers benefits in mainland China factories.

Yin Ming Yang, chairman of the TBEA urged the industry to invest in working conditions and thus increase efficiency. Other factors important for sustained growth include brand orientation, continued investment into R+D and investing in other production markets like Vietnam or Cambodia.

Tour de Taiwan
Taiwan's growth in general cycling might see another strong boost as Pat McQuaid, President of the UCI paid his first ever visit to the Taipei Cycle Show and for a meeting with Taiwan's President Ma. TAITRA and the Chinese Taipei Cycling Association have teamed up to host the 22nd Tour de Taiwan, an annual around-the-nation professional cycling race that is part of the UCI's Asia Tour. The seven-leg event started Sunday, March 14 and coincides with the closing day of the exhibition on Saturday, March 20 at Taipei City Hall.  Overall winner went to David McCann from Ireland, member of the Giant Asia Racing Team. The team ranking saw the Hong Kong Team on first place, followed by the Japan National Team and the Giant Asia Racing Team.

Comments
King Liu, President of Giant was very happy with the number and quality of business contacts. Hermes Chang, President of Ideal Bikes has strong confidence in positive market dynamics and sees the show as an important platform for the industry to meet.

Shimano's Taiwan manager Francis Sin reported an increase in foreign visitor contacts from both Europe and the US at their booth

Industry newcomers, like China Motor Corporation (CMC), with 900m US$ turnover in 2009 Taiwan's second largest automobile assembler and distributor (Mitsubishi) used TAIPEI CYCLE to launch their entry in to the bicycle,  e-bike and e-scooter  segment. Leon Liao, GM of GreenTrans, the bicycle division of CMC, noted: “Our main intention was to first introduce the brand and set up distributor network around the world. A strong second focus was on ODM clients to apply our proprietary technology to various markets. Main interest came from Europe and Japan for both our standard and e- bike program.”

Also for the first time the French Trade Commission, UBI France organized a French Pavilion. For starters 13 French companies, such as Time Sport International, Corima, Carnac, Selcof, and Stronglight added some 'savoir roulez' to the show.

Aurelien Brunet, Zefal Sales and Marketing Manager commented on increased contacts and the general positive mood. For Carine Chambres, Sales staff at Oredon the show was important to follow up on discussions the company conducted in last Decembers Taichung meetings.

“Business was excellent”, in a short sentence that's the statement from Greet Engelen, speaking on behalf of 29 companies represented in the combined Coliped booth. She especially commented on many new contacts made, and a solid appointments schedule of the participating European brands like Schwalbe, Selle royal, Fulcrum or Gepida, the first ever Hungarian company exhibiting at Taipei Cycle Show.

For Frank Surmann, JD/TransX Sales Manager Europe it was especially noticeable that there was more interest coming from other Asian countries like India. The brands strong presence in Europe mend that he also saw most of the European product managers.

Next years Taipei Cycle Show will be hosted from March 16-19, 2011 in the Taipei World Trade Center Nangang Exhibition Hall (TWTC Nangang).

◆ Number of Exhibitors and Booths:

Year	2010		2009		2008
	Overseas	Local	Overseas	Local	Overseas	Local
Exhibitor	216	678	185	577	185	576
Total	894				761
Booth	719	2,299	688	2,200	651	2,189
Total	3,018				2,840

◆ Number of Visitors /confirmed for March 17-19:

	3 days	4 days	4 days
Year	2010	2009	2008
(A) Overseas buyers	4,913	4,786	4,688
(B) Domestic buyers	30,000*	26,879	23,565
(C) General Public	15,000*	4,121	24,723
Total (A) + (B)	35,000*	31,665	28,253
Total (A) + (B) +(C)	50,000*	35,786	52,976

* Projected Figures