Taiwan Bike Industry: Sold Out for 2005?

TAIPEI, Taiwan (June 2) - Taiwan's bicycle and parts production grew by 23.6 % in the first quarter of 2005, with bicycle output up 24.2% to TWD 8.97 billion (US$ 286 million) and parts production gaining 22.6% to TWD 5.79 billion (US$ 184 million). According to Taiwan’s Ministry of Trade, increased exports of bikes and components like lights, wheel rims, and spoke products helped drive the strong gains. The Ministry also stated that delayed shipments of derailleurs by Shimano has driven some buyers to turn to SRAM of the US, SR Suntour of Taiwan, and Campagnolo of Italy. With the European anti-dumping duties for China expected to be raised from the current 30.6% to 48.5% next month on bicycles and components and a 34.5% dumping duty set for Vietnam, there’s a massive demand for Taiwan made bicycles and components. Even to such an extend that it said now that Taiwan is more or less ‘sold out’ for the whole year with orders piling up at almost every manufacturer.