E-Bike Puts Taiwan’s Export Back on Growth Track
TAIPEI, Taiwan – After years of decline Taiwan’s export of bicycles, e-bikes as well as parts and accessories is growing again. And that growth is even counted in double digit percentages for exported units as well as the total value of that export. This is indicated by the 2018 export figures released by the Taiwan Ministry of Finance ahead of the Taipei International Cycle Show 2019.
E-bikes, mobility and connectivity
Taiwan’s bicycle industry faced hard times in 2015, 2016 and 2017. How hard those years were, is shown when looking back to the export figures for the first half of 2017. For that period the Taiwan Bicycle Association (TBA) reported a decline of close to 25 percent in units as well as in value!
That the Taiwan industry is now back on track has all to do with the fact that it managed to reinvent itself. Instead of Mountainbikes and sports the new focus is on e-bikes, mobility and connectivity. The upcoming Taipei Int’l Cycle Show, being held from March 27 to March 30, 2019 will reflect this turnaround.
2.2 million exported bikes
According to the figures released by Taiwan’s Customs Administration and the Ministry of Finance, the total for the number of exported complete bicycles as well as e-bikes stood for the whole year of 2018 at 2.21 million. This number increased by 11.4 percent on the export total of 2017. Value-wise Taiwan’s bike export increased by 11.3 percent on the 2017 value. Last year’s bike export from the island off the coast of China stood in value at USD 1,359 million or euro 1,198 million.
After a brief experiment holding the 2018 show in October/November, the Taipei Cycle Show returns to its traditional home on the calendar, from 27-30 March at Taipei Nangang Exhibition Center, Hall 1, 4F and Hall 2, alongside the annual International Sporting Goods Show. 2019 will see the Taipei Cycle Show incorporate Nangang Hall 2, a specific component-focused space, and will include the 3rd Demo Day, Forum Sessions, while last year’s Taipei Cycle + and IoT Zone will be even bigger. Among the exhibitors returning to the show are global brands like Giant, Merida, Continental, KMC, Vision/FSA, Thule Group, and KTM Bike Industries.
Electrification trend
The data provided by Taiwan’s Customs Administration and the Ministry of Finance also reveal the extent to which the current electrification trend is contributing to the recovery of Taiwanese exports. That stood at a huge 50 percent last year, according to the government institutions. Their press release says “With electric bicycles and components contributing sales volume and revenue increased 50 percent on 2017. The total value of Taiwan’s exports (including P&A, ed) reached USD 3,230 million in 2018, an increase of 14.7 percent on 2017.”
