AutoTronics, DigiTronics Taipei 2006 score big successes

This article was published by the Taiwan Headlines on April 26, 2006. It features the first Taipei International Digital Electronics Show (DigiTronics Taipei 2006) and Taipei International Automobile Electronics Show (AutoTronics Taipei 2006), which took place at the Taipei World Trade Center from April 17 to 20. The twin events attracted 1,346 global buyers and 17,562 visitors. Representatives of many international automakers and tier-one parts suppliers were invited to the shows, including Fiat, DaimlerChrysler, BMW, Volkswagen, TATA Motors, Alpine, Denso, Fujitsu, Omron, Siemens VDO, Johnson Controls, Robert Bosch, Magna, Inter Cars, Halfords and Wal-Mart.

According to the Taiwan External Trade Development Council, the United States was the biggest buying nation at the two shows, with a total of 215 buyers that accounted for 15.8 percent of the total number of foreign buyers. This was followed by Japan, with 190 visitors or 13.9 percent, China with 117 buyers or 8.6 percent, Hong Kong with 115 buyers or 8.4 percent, and Russia with 62 buyers or 4.5 percent, among others.

The 2006 Taipei International Automotive Electronics Forum (AutoTronics Forum) was also an successful event. It served as a unique business platform for international experts and domestic industry leaders to discuss the current status and future trends of the booming automotive electronics industry.

The forum had three major themes, which were Hybrid, Safety and Telematics. Meanwhile, related topics discussed at the forum included Current Development and Future Opportunities of Taiwan Auto Electronics Industries, Global Trends in the Automotive Industry, Telematics and Tele-services, Development of Telematics in Japan, Infotainment Solution from Siemens VDO, Hybrid Electric Vehicles on the Road and R&D of Commercial Vehicles, and Future Generation of Automotive Driver Assistance Systems.

On the topic of Current Development and Future Opportunities of Taiwan Auto Electronics Industries, industry analysts pointed out that all global automakers are expected to further strengthen cooperation ties with their parts suppliers. Indeed, automakers are advised to utilize the expertise of their parts suppliers in order to maintain their competitive edges, to create competent and flexible automotive industry clusters, and to find more effective OEM organizations. This will also enable automakers to continue strengthening their outsourcing techniques.

On the topic of Global Trends in the Automotive Industry, industry experts discussed several global automotive trends, including mature automotive market; increasing car-model variations; autonomous driver functions vs. self-dependent mobility; and stricter European emissions regulations for cars and trucks.

According to the Taiwan External Trade Development Council, the AutoTronics Taipei 2007 will be held in April 2007, together with the Taipei International Auto/Motorcycle Parts & Accessories Show (Taipei AMPA 2007) and the DigiTronic Taipei 2007.