期數: Bike Market Update e-Newsletter - Issue 63 發行日期: 2014/5/20
電子報索引如下:

Latest News

  1. Taiwanese bicycle factories destroyed by Vietnamese mob

Special Reports

  1. King Liu, 80, successfully cycles around Taiwan
  2. Save the world, cycle more, says climate change panel

Exhibitions

  1. Interbike's Charged Up event attracting top brands

Taiwan Company News

  1. Giant wins tender for Taichung public bicycles
  2. Merida hold opening ceremony for new Nantong plant
  3. Giant announces 2.83 EPS for first quarter
  4. Ming Cycle builds its third plant in Changzhou
  5. YouBike's competitors increase their services
  6. Giant Propel Advanced SL for Taiwan Excellence Gold Award

Foreign Company News

  1. Sebastien Gillot appointed UCI communications chief
  2. Whyte and Wilier enjoy record winter sales
  3. Rotor opens new North American headquarters

Events & Activities

  1. Taiwan secures Ironman Triathlon
電子報內容如下:

Latest News

  1. Taiwanese bicycle factories destroyed by Vietnamese mob ▲Top
    The dispute regarding the sovereignty of the Paracel Islands has intensified. Due to the high level of oil available in the area, both China and Vietnam are refusing to give up the fight. In early May, Chinese vessels which were bound for the South China Sea clashed with Vietnamese Coast Guard Vessels. This move angered many Vietnamese people, who have been attempting to storm Chinese factories in retaliation. On the afternoon of May 13th, a Vietnamese mob started the destruction of the Singaporean industrial zone, followed by an industrial area in Binh Duong province. Many Taiwanese bicycle companies such as Asama, Song Tain, Sheang Lig, Foming Bicycle, Alhonga Vietnam, Bor Yueh, and Wang Sheng are located in this industrial area. Between the 13th and 15th of May, the mob spread its violence throughout the province, setting fire to the factories of Asama, Foming Bicycle, and Song Tain. The same situation was also unfolding in Dong Nai province, where Kenda is located and had its offices destroyed. Taiwanese people’s lives are being threatened in a volatile situation in which the Vietnam government has failed to assist or resolve. The Vietnamese are mainly angry towards Chinese people, but it has emerged that even people from Japan and South Korea have also been targeted. Taiwan is the fourth-largest investor to Vietnam, a country which has a population of over 89 million people. In recent years, Vietnam has been growing rapidly and has been favored by many large European and American brands. Factories producing in Vietnam have been extremely busy and have mostly got full orders for 2014. Now however, the factories have been destroyed by the Vietnamese people which will seriously affect future production. Kenda and KMC have announced that they expect to return to production in a short time. There is worse news for Asama though, as its factory was razed to the ground, meaning it will be difficult to return to production in a short time. Asama also has the factory in Cambodia which is fully booked with orders. Four Cambodian assembly plants are likely to be seriously affected by the situation in Vietnam. Foming Bicycle President Richard Tsai has countered the effect of the situation by intensifying the company's production capacity in its Taiwan and Nantong factories in China. The Taiwanese companies involved will solve the needs of their customers first and foremost, asking for an extended delivery time and for customers to understand the reasons for the delay.

Special Reports

  1. King Liu, 80, successfully cycles around Taiwan ▲Top
    Seven years ago, 73-year-old Giant President King Liu completed the achievement of cycling around Taiwan in 15 days, earning praise from the industry, and helping to contribute to a cycling boom around Taiwan. King said that it was very hard to ride around Taiwan at that time, and that he had to wear waist protection at all times during the ride. After finishing the tour, he found himself to be not as old as he had thought. With fruitful results, he also found himself still in good physical condition, which allowed him to see life in a new light. Since then, in order to stay in good health, he continues to cycle, riding around 30 to 40km every day. Through regular cycling, he hopes he can delay the arrival of the day in which he can not ride any more. To celebrate his 80th birthday, King Liu cycled around Taiwan once again, over a distance of 933km between May 1 and May 12. With extraordinary strength and persistence, King finished the tour successfully. Everyone was so impressed with his spirit, never giving up at any stage. Wheel Giant sent a team of eight-people to follow the cycling group all the way. The daily coverage included detailed text, images, as well as videos of the group, available for viewing at www.cycling-update.info/RGWeb/html/RG-report.html On the last day of the tour, Wheel Giant also completed its book – King Liu Cycles Around Taiwan at 80 Years Old. At the press conference, Wheel Giant gave this book to King Liu, the cycling team members, and the media that were present, with everyone amazed at the efficiency of Wheel Giant! Trek also joined the ride with Vice Presidents Steve Malchow and Roger Gierhart accompanying King. As a gift for him, Trek specially prepared a map of the 1934 Tour de France, which is King Liu's birth year. It is said that it is the only remaining one in the world. Trek CEO John Burke spent a long time trying to acquire the precious antique. This blessing from overseas made King Liu feel very touched and special.
  2. Save the world, cycle more, says climate change panel ▲Top
    Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change issues wake up call to the world: reduce energy use, walk and cycle more. The UN's Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change has issued a practical guide for what the world can do to reduce the impacts of climate change. Among the densely scientific recommendations are calls for Governments to reduce reliance on individualized motor transport and, instead, prioritize walking, cycling and public transport. Not only would such measures be good for the planet they would also make sound economic sense, said the panel of the world’s leading environmental scientists. "Prioritizing infrastructure for pedestrians and integrating non-motorized and transit services can create economic and social co?benefits in all regions," says the report. Criticizing roads built for motor transport the panel’s report said: "Established infrastructure may limit the options for modal shift and lead to a greater reliance on advanced vehicle technologies… For all economies, especially those with high rates of urban growth, investment in public transport systems and low?carbon infrastructure can avoid locking to carbon?intensive modes." The report doesn’t feel electric cars are a significant part of the answer to reducing transport’s emissions because the emissions are merely displaced, not reduced. "The transport sector accounted for 27% of final energy use and 6.7 GtCO2 direct emissions in 2010, with baseline CO2 emissions projected to approximately double by 2050," said the report. "Technical and behavioral mitigation measures for all transport modes, plus new infrastructure and urban redevelopment investments, could reduce final energy demand in 2050 by around 40% below the baseline…Integrated urban planning, transit?oriented development, more compact urban form that supports cycling and walking, can all lead to modal shifts."

Exhibitions

  1. Interbike's Charged Up event attracting top brands ▲Top
    Interbike's Charged Up event attracting top brands Charged Up, the electric bike and outdoor gadget show co-run by Interbike and Outdoor Retailer, has revealed a long list of technology brands ready to greet the media come May 14th. BionX, Prodeco, Pete's Electric Bike's, Currie Technologies (izip, eflow, Haibike, Lapierre), Leatherman, Led Lensor, Ascent Solar Technologies/EnerPlex, GoalZero, D.Light Designs, Celliant and many more have already signed on to participate. Journalists will be invited to test sponsor's product on the trail, for a true hands-on experience with the advancements and functionality of e-bikes, portable power, safety, and fitness gear along with innovations in wearable technology. The event will take place May 14-15, 2014 at the Crystal Springs Resort in Hamburg, NJ, positioned just outside New York City, the headquarters of many national media outlets. Charged Up is supported by PeopleForBikes, the Outdoor Industry Association, and Bicycle Retailer & Industry News. PeopleForBikes and the Outdoor Industry Association are set to present detailed content outlining trend data as it relates to the ebike and outdoor technology categories.

Taiwan Company News

  1. Giant wins tender for Taichung public bicycles ▲Top
    The world's largest bicycle maker, Giant Manufacturing Co., has won a tender to build a public bicycle rental system in Taichung, called iBike, that the city hopes will complement its new Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system, the Taichung Transportation Bureau has announced. The bureau plans to set up 20 bicycle rental stations around the city by the end of 2014 in conjunction with the opening of the city's BRT system in the second half of the year, according to the bureau. The bicycle company has gained considerable experience from building and operating Taipei's YouBike system, the bureau said, and it expressed the hope that Giant would use the experience to expedite the development of the system in Taichung.
  2. Merida hold opening ceremony for new Nantong plant ▲Top
    Located in Nantong, Jiangsu Province, Merida's fourth production plant is its biggest yet. The factory started its first production earlier in January this year, and with the latest advanced technology, the new plant will have a maximum annual capacity of up to 2 million units. For 2014, Merida say there is a production target of 250,000 units at the new plant. In addition, the prime location in Nantong means that Merida can quickly meet the demand of the China domestic market. The Nantong plant will mainly manufacture high/mid-end bicycles, half of which are for the domestic market and half of which are for export. Merida held an opening ceremony at the new site on April 14th (the second day of China Cycle Show). Local government leaders, as well as VIPs from the cross-strait bicycle industry gathered together at this grand ceremony. Merida President Michael Tseng hopes that the Nantong plant will have sustained growth of around 30-50% annually, and in the future, he hopes that Merida will become the top derailleur bicycle brand in China.
  3. Giant announces 2.83 EPS for first quarter ▲Top
    Giant has revealed the group earned consolidated revenue of NT$14.199 billion for the first quarter of this year, representing a growth of 7.2% compared with the same period in 2013. The company's pre-tax net profit was NT$1.363 billion. After-tax net income was NT$1.06 billion, a growth of 19.5% compared with the figure of NT$886 million from 2013. This gives after-tax earnings of NT$2.83 per share. During the first quarter, total production and sales of bicycles and e-bikes amounted to a total of 1.53 million units, almost the same as the 1.55 million units from last year. Regarding sales in the first quarter, Giant's offices in China, Europe, the United States, and Japan enjoyed the best-performing results. A warm winter in Europe this year, coupled with the early arrival of spring, means that the European office sales increased from last year. Giant's products are also favored by consumers in the U.S., resulting in higher sales in that area too. Due to the increase of wealth per capita in China, people there are paying more attention to leisure sports, meaning that the demand for cycling products is growing rapidly. Last year, Giant accounted net income of NT$3.504 billion and earnings per share of NT$9.34. The company is scheduled to hold a shareholders' meeting on June 23 with the proposal of a NT$6 per share cash dividend.
  4. Ming Cycle builds its third plant in Changzhou ▲Top
    To expand its global OEM market and improve its product pricing, Ming Cycle has spent US$36 million on building its third plant in Changzhou, with annual capacity expected to reach 1 million units. On the first day of the China Cycle Show (April 13th), Ming Cycle held a grand groundbreaking ceremony, announcing that the new plant is expected to be completed by the end of 2015. The plant will cover 120 acres initially, and includes several aluminum frame welding lines, painting lines, and assembly lines. Ming Cycle President Tai-shan Chang noted that his company's third plant in Changzhou is the most generous single plant investment project in 25 years. The overall output of Ming Cycle's three factories in Changzhou will climb to 2.5 million units, with an annual output value of over NT$10 billion. In addition, Ming Cycle will respond to the government's policy of bringing business back to Taiwan, and is planning to be the list company. In 2017, Ming Cycle is expected to go public with 'F Shares' in order to return to the Taiwan market, which will make it Taiwan's first bike manufacturer to be listed with 'F Shares'. Ming Cycle Group's sales in both Taiwan and China amounted to 1.416 million units last year, with a consolidated revenue of over NT$6.7 billion, making it Taiwan's third largest bicycle manufacturer.
  5. YouBike's competitors increase their services ▲Top
    Cyclists who rent bicycles at privately-run riverside stations in Taipei can now return them in the neighboring city of New Taipei and vice versa at a standard cost, which makes it easier for bike commuters between the two areas. Under the new rules that took effect Tuesday, the rental fees will also be standardized in the two cities, in response to complaints over a discrepancy in costs at the riverside bicycle stations that are owned by the city governments and run by private operators. Cyclists between the two cities will now be charged NT$150 (US$4.9) to NT$250 for a four-hour period, depending on the type of bicycle rented, and NT$210 to NT$340 for periods of over four hours. Those who do not cross the city lines will be charged NT$15 per hour for a maximum of six hours. In the past, privately-operated bicycle rental stations in Taipei charged between NT$25 and NT$60 per hour and added an NT$80 fee if the cyclist returned the bike to a station in New Taipei. The rate in New Taipei, meanwhile, was NT$15 to NT$80 per hour and the cyclist was charged a four-hour fee for crossing into Taipei. New Taipei boasts 180 kilometers of riverside bicycle paths, while Taipei has 110 km. Rental bicycles, free basic maintenance and repair services are available at 10 locations along Taipei's riverside paths and 15 stations along the paths in New Taipei.
  6. Giant Propel Advanced SL for Taiwan Excellence Gold Award ▲Top
    Giant has now won one Gold Award and one Silver Award in three consecutive years, following success at the 2014 Taiwan Excellence Gold and Silver Awards. This year, Giant's Propel Advanced SL, and Trance Advanced 27.5 won the Gold Award and Silver Award respectively. In the wind tunnel test the Propel Advanced SL scored 40 kilometers per hour. Compared with other same level bikes, it tested faster by between 12 to 36 seconds, meaning it was the most powerful aerodynamic road bike in the test. In addition, 80% of Giant's components are developed and manufactured in Taiwan—something which the judges were very impressed with. The Trance Advanced 27.5 won the Silver Award. Through experimental marketing, Giant organized a 'wild riding fun' activity, so that consumers could have the opportunity to experience and enjoy the fun of riding its mountain bikes. This is Giant's 22nd time as an entrant in the competition, of which the company has won 16 Gold Awards and 15 Silver Awards.

Foreign Company News

  1. Sebastien Gillot appointed UCI communications chief ▲Top
    The Union Cycliste Internationale has hired Sebastien Gillot as its new head of communications. Gillot was most recently head of communications and public relations with the International Boxing Association. He also was lead editor at the French FIFA.com channel for seven years and advised the city of Annecy, France, on its 2018 Olympic bid. "Having Sebastien on board is excellent news for the UCI. His understanding of international sports federations and the Olympic Movement is perfectly in tune with our goal to restore the reputation of our Federation and to get it back on track as a major player in global sport," said Martin Gibbs, the UCI's director general. "His appointment comes at an exciting time for UCI communications as we prepare for the launch of the new UCI website later this summer." Gillot will join the UCI on May 5.
  2. Whyte and Wilier enjoy record winter sales ▲Top
    TB Sales has recorded its best ever Q1 thanks to strong performances from Whyte and Wilier. Both brands have smashed their own sales figures, resulting in ATB's best ever winter results. ATB Sales said: "Average selling prices are up for both brands and we are delighted to report a record breaking March in terms of both units sold and turnover. Our winter figures are the strongest indication of the demand of our brands as typically it's replenishment of sell-through and is unclouded by stock-in figures." The firm went into greater detail on what had driven the record figures: "Whyte growth was fuelled by strong mountain bike sales across the board in both 650b and 29. Also Whyte disc brake road bikes have gone very well. "Wilier growth has been at both ends of the scale with the success of the Izoard and GTR (sub-2k carbon road) and the Wilier custom build program which has more than doubled our high-end business."
  3. Rotor opens new North American headquarters ▲Top
    Rotor Bike Components has increased its presence in North America by opening a new headquarters in San Leandro, California. Led by Javier Briales and Arthur Espos, with support from Kendall Young, director of North American sales, and Rotor research specialist Christie O'Hara, the new location will manage distribution, warranties, customer service and public relations/marketing for North America. Phillip Lucas, who had been with Rotor for more than eight years, most recently as U.S. brand manager based in Colorado, has left the company. One of his chief responsibilities had been launching a multichannel distribution model for Rotor in the States. "We've had a North American presence since 2005, thanks largely to a reliable network of distributors," said Briales, "but we wanted to improve service to them by offering direct support through a local subsidiary. By creating a space that's distinctly Rotor, we can help our partners promote Rotor's innovative technologies to our increasingly loyal Canadian and U.S. Markets."

Events & Activities

  1. Taiwan secures Ironman Triathlon ▲Top
    IRONMAN announced today that the tropical destination of Kenting, Taiwan has been selected to host the third IRONMAN triathlon in Asia. The inaugural IRONMAN Taiwan triathlon will take place on April 12, 2015. IRONMAN Taiwan will be hosted throughout the stunning Kenting region. Kenting has not only become a major triathlon destination in Taiwan but also provides a vacation paradise for families and couples alike. Kenting will welcome athletes for its first IRONMAN race with full support from the government and the local community. The IRONMAN Taiwan event will complement the IRONMAN 70.3Taiwan, which was first established in 2010. With the growing popularity of IRONMAN 70.3 Taiwan, local and international triathletes will now enjoy the additional option of an IRONMAN branded race offering participants a new challenge. "IRONMAN 70.3 Taiwan has been very successful and we are thrilled to expand the IRONMAN brand in Asia by adding another long distance race to the region," said Andrew Messick, Chief Executive Officer for IRONMAN. "As we continue to grow globally, we want to find destination locations where there is a strong triathlete base – and Kenting is the perfect addition to our race calendar." Renny Ling, the CEO of Taiwan Triathlon Co., Ltd, said he was honored and delighted to bring the IRONMAN series into Taiwan: "Taiwanese triathletes have yearned for an IRONMAN race for years. It's a historic moment for us to launch IRONMAN Taiwan. We would like to welcome triathlon-lovers from all around the world and will show you the beauty and strength of this island." Athletes will begin with a 2.4-mile swim in the famous waters of Kenting Beach. They will then experience a mix of hills and flat stretches on the 112-mile bike leg before a 26.2-mile run that will take them along the coastline and through the popular Kenting markets. One of more than 35 events in the global IRONMAN Series, IRONMAN Taiwan will have a $25,000 USD professional prize purse and will be a P-2000 race. Additionally, the race will offer 25 age group qualifying slots for the 2015 IRONMAN World Championship taking place on October 10, 2015 in Kailua-Kona, Hawai`i. General registration will open on Tuesday, July 1, 2014 on www.ironman.com/taiwan