The Island's Bike Exports May Be Impacted by Several Southeast Asia Nations

Taipei, Dec. 28, 2012 (CENS)--Tong Lo, president of Taiwan Bicycle Exporters` Association (TBEA) and CEO of Taiwan`s largest bicycle manufacturer Giant Manufacturing Co., Ltd., recently warned that the island’s bike exports may be impacted by several Southeast Asia nations having formed a non-tariff bike supply chain. 

In 2012, Lo said, Taiwan`s bicycle exports to Europe is estimated to decline 9.6% from the previous year, with equally grim overall outlook in 2013, urging local bike makers to be cautious and work together to overcome possible impacts. 

At TBEA`s recent member meeting, Lo said that Taiwan exports an average of 4.2 million bicycles to Europe yearly at import tariff rate of 14.7%, against zero duties for bike exports from Southeast Asian nations as Cambodia, Laos, Bangladesh etc. In 2012, about 800,000 bicycles have been exported to Europe from these non-tariff nations, and the number is expected to increase to encroach on Taiwan`s share. 

In 2012, Taiwan`s bicycle export volume declined by 2%, but the value increased by about 7%, Lo said, while export average selling prices (ASP) is about US$450. Bicycle-parts exports have risen 18% in 2012, Lo said, while the overall bicycle export value (bikes and parts) is expected to increase 10%. 

Thanks to the stable demand in North America, and more importantly, strong demand in emerging markets especially China, to which Taiwan has exported more than 90,000 bicycles in 2012 (up 300% from previous year), the island`s total bike export volume remains steady. 

Lo forecasts a bleak European bike market in 2013, a flat North American market, with China continuing to grow but at slower pace.