| Prime News | | ![]() | ![]() | FSC to Expand Leeway of OBU Operation
Taipei, Oct. 1, 2007 (CENS)--With the role of domestic banks' offshore banking units (OBU) as the funding center for Taiwanese-invested firms in China facing growing competition from foreign banks, the Financial Supervisory Commission (FSC) has decided to expand the leeway for the OBU operation by raising the ceiling of unsecured loans for Taiwanese-invested firms to 15% of their net assets, from 10% now.
In addition, the FSC plans to extend the loan subjects of OBUs to foreign companies in China and Chinese-invested companies in a third country. Having won backing of the Central Bank of China (CBC), the FSC is seeking endorsement of the relaxations by the Mainland Affairs Council (MAC).
The proposal to relax the loan ceiling has been put forward in response to request of many domestic banks, whose OBUs have approached the 10% ceiling in unsecured loans for Taiwanese-invested businesses. Loans by the OBUs to Taiwanese firms in China now top NT$30 billion, with majority of which unsecured ones.
Presently, total loans extended to Taiwanese-invested firms in China by the overseas subsidiaries and the OBUs of domestic banks cannot exceed 30% of their net assets, including 10% for unsecured loans.
Domestic banks noted that relaxation of the regulation is critical for them to cope with the mounting competition from foreign banks in the Chinese market, which enjoy the advantages of flexible operation and exemption of withholding tax, enabling them to offer Taiwanese clients convenient and lower-interest loan service. In addition, some foreign banks, such as Citibank and Standard Chartered Bank, have greatly augmented their competitiveness for winning Taiwanese clients' businesses following their recent acquisitions of Taiwanese banks.
((PL)) (GE) | |
| | ![]() | | | FSC May Scrap Minimum Stake Requirement for Board Directors
Taipei, Oct. 1, 2007 (CENS)--To facilitate its effort in pushing institution of independent board directors and improving corporate governance, the Financial Supervisory Commission (FSC) is studying the feasibility of scraping the existing requirement of minimum interests held by board directors of listed firms.
FSC explained that the requirement, a unique regulation worldwide, has curbed willingness of listed companies to hire independent directors due to necessity of other board directors to raise their stakes, as independent directors do not own stakes in the companies.
The requirement runs counter to the promotion of separation between ownership and management, being pushed by the FSC in order to augment corporate governance.
The requirement has also become an increasingly heavy burden on board directors of listed firms, along with the expansion of their scales, as many listed firms have seen their paid-in capital hit NT$10 billion.
Currently, total stake held by board directors has to top 15% for firms with public share offering with paid-in capital under NT$300 million, 10% for those with paid-in capital ranking NT$300 million-1 billion, 7.5% for those with paid-in capital ranging NT$1-2 billion, and 5% for those with paid-in capital exceeding US$2 billion.
The FSC, though, is facing opposition from adherents to the existing regulation, contending that it is indispensable to assure earnest management on the part of board directors, especially in view of the ethnic characteristic of Chinese people.
Meanwhile, to push institution of independent directors, the FSC resolved the other day exempting listed firms the requirement of minimum shareholding by board directors, so long as half of their board members are independent directors and they have set up auditing committee.
At present, no listed firm, both on the centralized and over-the-counter markets, has met the two conditions simultaneously, although seven listed firms have independent directors accounting for over half of board seats and 10 have established auditing committees.
((PL)) (GE) | |
| | ![]() | | | CSC, MIRDC Pushing Localization of Iron, Steel Production Equipment
Taipei, Oct. 1, 2007 (CENS)--China Steel Corporation (CSC) recently signed a strategic-alliance contract with the Metal Industry Research and Development Centre (MIRDC) to promote localization of iron and steel production equipment.
The contract was signed by Tung-sheng Kao, production vice president of CSC, and T.C. Chung, deputy chief executive of the MIRDC. CSC president Yuan-chen Chen and Kaohsiung County magistrate Chiu-hsing Yang witnessed the signing of the contract.
At the signing ceremony, Chen especially expressed gratitude for the cooperation of Kaohsiung County Government to help his company set up an iron and steel logistics center in Luchu Hsiang of Kaohsiung County. He noted that the sound development of domestic iron and steel industry needs the support of local governments.
Kao said the cooperation between the CSC and the MIRDC to promote localization of iron and steel production equipment is aimed at escalating the manufacturing capability of downstream firms by fully making use of the R&D ability of the MIRDC.
CSC said it would unite with some 650 downstream firms to vie for the business opportunities generated by making steel production equipment, whose production value amounts to NT$60 billion (US$1.81 billion at US$1:NT$33) per year. It is estimated the business opportunities will grow to NT$100 billion (US$3.03 billion) in five years. The plan to promote localization of iron and steel production equipment is expected to help upgrade downstream iron and steel firms.
The MIRDC predicted domestic demand for iron and steel production equipment is valued at NT$60 billion (US$1.81 billion) per year. It is estimated the overall production value for the iron and steel production equipment domestically will reach NT$100 billion (US$3.03 billion) per year. At present, the majority of domestic suppliers of iron and steel production equipment is located in Kaoshiung City and County, southern Taiwan.
((BS)) (M) | |
| | ![]() | | | Tang Eng Draws Complaints by Selling Stainless Steel at Low Prices
Taipei, Oct. 1, 2007 (CENS)--Tang Eng Iron Works Ltd., one of Taiwan's leading manufacturers of stainless steel, recently sold 16,500 metric tons of cold-rolled stainless steel to four clients at the preferential prices—US$300 per metric ton lower than the usual global quotations.
The low-price strategy has drawn complaints from rival competitors in Europe who threaten to sue Tang Eng for dumping stainless steel in European marketplace. It is said the four clients of Tang Eng have sold the low-price products in Europe.
A domestic trader noted in August the quoting export price for 300-series cold-rolled stainless steel reached US$3,600 per metric ton. But Tang Eng recently sold the product at the preferential price of US$3,300 per metric ton with an aim to boost sales.
A big shareholder of Tang Eng said the unusual transaction launched by Tang Eng will compromise the privilege of general shareholders. The big shareholder would like to procure 10,000 metric tons of stainless steel from Tang Eng at the price of US$3,400 per metric ton.
Tang Eng vice president Chin-ming Liang said the low-price strategy launched in August was to cut inventories as the global stainless steel market is expected to be sluggish in light of the dwindled prices for such major material as nickel.
A Tang Eng executive explained his company will see an inventory of NT$9 billion (US$272.72 million at US$1:NT$33) without the implementation of the low-price strategy. At present, the company's inventory is valued at NT$7 billion (US$212.12 million), still more than the normal level of NT$5 billion (US$151.51 million).
A trader criticized that Tang Eng lacks discretion in adopting the low-price strategy as the European Union recently had charged mainland China for dumping stainless steel into the European marketplace.
((BS)) (H) | |
| | ![]() | | | Taiwan Styrene Reported to Enter Solar Materials Business
Taipei, Oct.1, 2007 (CENS)--Taiwan Styrene Monomer Corp. (TSMC) is reported to put NT$1 billion (US$30 million at US$1:NT$33) into a polycrystalline silicon manufacturing project in mainland China, becoming another Taiwanese petrochemical manufacturer to enter the brisk solar-energy industry.
Industry watchers pointed out that the investment plan, once realized, will beef up the company's strength in the solar-energy industry, given the fact that it is already a shareholder of solar-cell makers Gintech Energy Corp. and Big Sun Energy Technology Inc.
So far, TSMC has owned 4% of Gintech and one million shares of Big Sun. The solar-cell makers are expected to return TSMC with estimated investment rewards of NT$1.2 billion (US$36 million), or NT$2 per share, this year.
Industry watchers estimated TSMC will likely conduct the polycrystalline silicon investment plan in cooperation with other companies since such a factory now requires investment capital of at least NT$10 billion (US$303 million).
Instead of confirming the press report, TSMC's executives have simply said their company "has been indeed watching photovoltaic industry" and "should not have difficulty supporting polycrystalline manufacturing." They said the company will announce its decision on the plan after its board makes decision.
Excellent core-business sales have inspired industrial watchers to issue upbeat forecast of the company's after-tax net income, which is put at NT$1 per share throughout this year. Average selling price of styrene monomer (SM) has surged to over US$1,400 a metric ton last week from US$1,270 quoted early this year
Founded in 1979, TSMC mainly produces para-diethyl, benzene, toluene and ethyl benzene in addition to SM. Its major buyers are manufacturers of polystyrene, ABS resins, and synthetic rubber, which are widely applied to electric-appliance, machinery, electronics, automobile and packaging industries.
Although TSMC is not the first Taiwanese petrochemical manufacturer to enter solar-energy industry, it could be the first Taiwanese petrochemical manufacturer to develop presence in upstream and downstream segments of the solar-energy industry.
The state-run CPC Corp. has not unveiled details of its solar-energy plan although it said it would enter the segment. Industry watchers believe the company is the only
Taiwanese company that can compete with multinational solar-materials players.
Lee Chang Yung Chemical Industry Corp.and LED maker Epistar Corp. recently drew up a plan to co-invest in polycrystalline business. The two companies set the venture's capitalization at NT$4 billion (US$121 million at US$1:NT$33), with initial capitalization to be NT$500 million (US$15 million).
Plastic-material maker USI Corp. recently announced it would open a venture at a cost of NT$12 billion (US$363 million at US$1:NT$33) to produce polycrystalline.
The venture, named Universal Semiconductor Corp. (USC), is scheduled to kick off pilot production in late 2008 or early 2009 at the earliest, USI executives said.
Industry watchers pointed out that TSMC is more advantageous than other domestic peers in observing solar-energy industry since it has invested in two solar-cell companies.
| |
| | ![]() | | | VISC Verifies Acquired Winbond 200mm Tools
Taipei, Oct. 1, 2007 (CENS)--Industry watchers pointed out Vanguard Semiconductor International Corp. (VISC) recently verified a 200mm silicon-wafer factory it acquired early this year from Winbond Electronics Corp. and has delegated part of its orders to the acquired facility.
Some chip-making equipment suppliers pointed out that VISC will begin producing LCD drive ICs and CMOS image sensors at the factory some time in the fourth quarter. In the meantime, the chipmaker will start adjusting the factory's process to comply with that of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. (TSMC). TSMC is VISC's biggest institutional shareholder.
Winbond has used the sold factory to produce 0.11-micron dynamic random access memory (DRAM) chips and 0.12-micron NOR flash memory chips. VISC has begun adjusting the factory's process since the second quarter this year.
Based on terms of the procurement contract, VISC will have to make Winbond's DRAM chips on a foundry basis at the factory soon after it takes over the plant early next year, but VISC has rapidly shifted the factory's process to fit logic chips in order to boost its foundry capacity for the chips.
VISC has increased output capacity at its in-house 200-mm wafer factory to over 70,000 wafers a month. However, the capacity remains strained when it comes to thriving orders from LCD drive IC and CMOS image sensor vendors and networking-chip orders delegated from TSMC. To cope with capacity shortage, VISC has delegated part of its contracts to other foundries.
Recently, some chip-making equipment suppliers said VISC has completed verifying Winbond's 200mm wafer fab and begun delegating part of its contracts to the acquired factory. The verification helps ease the strained capacity problem.
It is understood that the orders VISC has delegated to the Winbond factory include production of 0.18-micron and 0.2-micron LCD drive ICs, 0.16-micron LCD drive ICs and 0.15-micron CMOS image sensors.
((KL)) (E) | |
| | ![]() | | | Handset Navigation Users to Reach 43 M. in 2012: Berg Insight
Taipei, Oct. 1, 2007 (CENS)--The number of mobile subscribers accessing maps and downloading routes using their cellphones in Europe and the U.S. is expected to grow to reach 43 million by 2012 from four million in 2007 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 60.8%, according to a new research report by Berg Insight, which offers premier business intelligence to the telecom industry
According to Berg Insight, the growing adoption rate will be driven mainly by the introduction of GPS-technology in smartphone handsets and bundling of navigation and map content with mobile devices as well as service plans.
This year, the successful launch of the GPS-enabled Nokia N95 GPS cellphone has opened up the market for handset based navigation in Europe. The U.S. market has evolved further with GPS already being a standard feature in all code division multiple access (CDMA)-handsets. Sprint Nextel and Verizon Wireless, the top-two CDMA telecom carriers in the U.S., have attracted millions of subscribers to navigation services, a feat which European network operators now hope to repeat.
According to André Malm, telecom analyst of Berg Insight, record shipments of personal navigation device (PND) devices in Europe and the U.S. have introduced the benefits of GPS for motorists. "Now the major players in the mobile industry are in hot pursuit of delivering the same experience for pedestrians, commuters, and travelers on the handset display," he added.
Revenue from subscriptions and advertisement is expected to reach 512 million euro by 2012 from 96 million euro in 2007, a CAGR of 39.8%, the research firm said.
Maps are already available free of charge from a host of sources on the Internet, and soon navigation will reach that stage too, Malm said. Berg Insight expects that advertisement-funded services will account for an increasing share of the mobile navigation market. Navigation fits perfectly with local search applications that offer completely new opportunities for advertisers to target consumers in novel ways, the research firm said, and Malm urged the mobile industry players to embrace the advertisement-funded service model in order to stay competitive in the emerging market.
| |
| | ![]() | | | No Change in GM-Yulon Partnership: Yulon GM
Taipei, Oct. 1, 2007 (CENS)--General Motors (GM) of the United States is considering adjusting its operation strategy in Taiwan automobile market, which has slowed to a sluggish pace over the past two years, according to industry sources.
GM is intensively evaluating the feasibility of locally producing a third passenger car (under Buick brand) on the island, or transforming its local subsidiary, the Yulon GM Motors Co. Ltd. (Yulon GM) to focus on selling only imported GM products rather than also locally-made models. The decision is expected to be made late this year.
Denying a recent media report implying a possible change in the cooperation ties between GM and local automaker Yulon Motor Co., senior Yulon GM managers stressed that the partnership remains unchanged and reiterated that GM would not withdraw from Taiwan market.
According to Yulon GM president Pan Fu-jen, GM China has been controlling new-car development projects on both sides of the Taiwan Strait and commissioning Yulon Group's Tjing Ling R&D Center Co. to develop car models suitable for the Greater China market, including the Buick Excelle. Under considerations of various customer tastes in Taiwan and mainland China, Yulon GM said, GM would make some modifications on cars sold in different markets.
Yulon GM took the lead in pushing the locally made Buick Excelle in Taiwan in late 2006 and sent a mass-produced model for conducting market surveys by affiliated Shanghai GM, which also contracted the Pan Asia Technical Automotive Center (PATAC), a 50-50 joint venture between GM and Shanghai Automotive Industry Corp. Group (SAIC) in China to develop a new model as another option.
The model to be developed would be chosen by Shanghai GM for local production in China, a decision to be made by the affiliate, Yulon GM president Pan said, and that is business intelligence which Yulon GM could not comment on.
Pan added that Yulon GM and Shanghai GM reached an agreement, under which the latter has to share Buick Excelle's development cost (about NT$300 million, or US$9.09 million at US$1: NT$33) paid to Tjing Ling R&D Center, rather than Yulon GM being liable to absorb the total cost alone as reported in the press.
GM officials confirmed that senior managers at GM China and Shanghai GM recently called Yulon CEO Yen and they frankly accepted the fact that the sales of the Buick Excelle in Taiwan were not as good as originally expected. In Taiwan this year, the total annual new-cars sales volume is expected to reach only 300,000 to 320,000 units, compared with about eight million in China. So, GM China is evaluating the feasibility of producing a third car in Taiwan.
((QL)) (A) | |
| | ![]() | | | Taiwan Sees 3.7 M. Credit Cards Discarded Per Year
Taipei, Oct. 1, 2007 (CENS)--Although Taiwan's financial institutions have almost walked out of the shadow of twin-card debt defaults, the nation still sees more than 300,000 credit cards discarded per month.
The statistics compiled in July by the Cabinet-level Financial Supervisory Commission (FSC) showed that Taiwan saw a fall of 3.7 million credit cards over the past year, presenting an annual negative growth of about 10%. As a result, Taiwan ranked at the bottom among major economic powers in the Asia-Pacific area in terms of credit-card issuing volume.
Among the world's mature financial markets, only the U.K. experienced a drop of 4% in credit card volume during the same period, and those posting a positive growth include 12% for Australia, 10% for Hong Kong, 8% for the U.S., and 4% for Singapore.
As of the end of July, the outstanding revolving credit stood at NT$299.3 billion (US$9.07 billion at US$1 = NT$33), for a sharp decline of NT$103.87 billion (US$3.15 billion) from NT$403.17 billion (US$12.22 billion) recorded a year earlier.
Insiders analyzed that Taiwan's card issuers floated too many cards before to meet the whimsical demand of cardholders. Today Taiwan has about nine million eligible cardholders, and each of them owns an average of four cards, based on a total of 36.63 million circulated credit cards recorded as of July. Usually a cardholder uses only two or three of the cards he/she owns.
FSC statistics indicated that in July alone the amount of credit-card spending by Taiwan's cardholders amounted to NT$122.6 billion (US$3.72 billion), a slight rise of NT$8.9 billion (US$269.7 million) or 7.8% from last year's corresponding NT$113.7 billion (US$3.45 billion).
Nevertheless, Taiwan ranks No. 1 now in Asia Pacific region in terms of the newly developed swipe-free credit cards issued. It is understood that the cost of a swipe-free credit card is about NT$150 (US$4.55), double that of a chip-integrated card and more than 10 times that of a magnetic-strip card.
As of July, Visa International has issued a total of 1.44 million 'Visa payWave' swipe-free credit cards in Taiwan, a whopping rise of 364% from the corresponding figure of a year earlier and far more than the second highest volume of such cards floated in Malaysia.
| |
| | ![]() | | | Taiwan's Employment Rate Hits 9-Year High of 58.61% in August
Taipei, Oct. 1, 2007 (CENS)--Taiwan's jobless rate stood at 4.09% in August of this year, almost unchanged from a year earlier, and the employment rate posted at 58.61%, the highest of its kind since January of 1998, according to the statistics released y the Cabinet-level Directorate General of Budget, Accounting & Statistics (DGBAS).
In the first eight months of the year, the monthly increase in the number of employees averaged at 200,000 persons. Of the increased workforce, 160,000 persons got full-time jobs and the remaining 40,000 persons part-time, with less than 35 working hours per week. The part-time workers were mainly youngsters, females and the elders.
DGBAS statistics showed that in the first seven months of the year the substantive regular monthly pay of employees averaged at NT$35,013 (US$1,061 at US$1 = NT$33), edging up 1.11% from the corresponding figure of last year; while the average regular monthly pay reached NT$36,568 (US$1,108) for an annual growth of 1.6%, the highest of its kind in seven years.
The unemployment rate was 4.09% in August and shrank to 3.91% in average for the first eight months of the year, both hitting new lows in seven years. With fresh graduates leaving campus for jobs, Taiwan's jobless rate stood at a level of above 4% in July and August, which was believed to be lower after seasonal adjustment.
In the first eight months, the average monthly employed population reached 10.271, up 200,000 persons or 1.99% from the corresponding figure of last year and the second highest in 13 years.
A job bank here indicated that Taiwan's employees take an average of 1.6 trips overseas per year and more than 60% of them travel more than once a year. The statistics compiled by Tourism Bureau showed that last year Taiwan's spending on travels at home reached NT$224.3 billion (US$6.8 billion), a sharp rise of 16.46% from the corresponding NT$192.6 billion (US$5.84 billion) posted a year earlier.
In the same period, the number of outbound, personal trips taken by Taiwanese witnessed an annual rise of 5.64% to 8.67 million, with average spending of NT$31,721 (US$961.24) per trip. Neighboring Japan, Thailand, Hong Kong, Macao, and China were their most favored places for overseas trips.
((JL)) (GE) | |
| | ![]() | | | Texas Instrument Moving to Outdo MediaTek in China
Taipei, Oct. 1, 2007 (CENS)-- The U.S.-based Taxes Instrument Incorporated (TI), the world's leading supplier of baseband chips for handsets, is to engage in a fierce battle against Taiwan's MediaTek Inc. in the Chinese market, according to company sources.
To regain its leading position in the Chinese market, TI has focused on promoting the eCosto chip for sales in the market next year, which is the sector's first low-price handset chip produced through 65-nanometer process and can incorporate video and audio entertainment. This is believed to threaten MediaTek's existing No. 1 place in China.
In light of business potential in the Chinese market, TI got off to an earlier start to explore the market than MediaTek. However, the latter has launched mobile phone platforms, which incorporate multimedia functions and sell for less than US$20 per unit, and smoothly snapped up orders from TI's original biggest three clients there. Consequently, MediaTek already commands a 40% share of the market and unseats TI to become the leading supplier of handset chips.
Recently, MediaTek acquired two of Analog Devices Inc.'s mobile phone units. The acquisition helps the firm to grasp technology for developing handset platforms meeting China's Time Division-Synchronous Code Division Multiple Access (TD-SCDMA) standard for 3-generation communications, also prompting TI to take moves.
Larry Chen, TI's newly installed president in charge of sales in the Asia-Pacific area, acknowledged that the TD-SCDMA standard is a key standard for 3-generation communications in the future, even though it has yet to be heavily applied in commercial use. He added that TI will also follow a trend to develop platforms for the standard.
In fact, TI already worked with related suppliers in China, such as COMMIT Incorporated, to jointly explore the market for the TD-SCDMA standard. Chen noted that TI has heavily concentrated on the Asia-Pacific market, and projects sales from the market to grow stronger than many areas this year due to huge potential of the Chinese market.
He said that TI is developing highly integrated handset chip solutions based on innovative digital RF processor (DRP) technology. Early this year, TI unveiled Locosto chips, which were also developed on DRP basis, hoping to further explore the market for US$40 and below mobile phones. TI plans to widely promote an updated Locosto edition, namely eCosto chip, in China next year and will target the market demand for US$100 and above mobile phones with the new chip to compete against MediaTek.
At the moment, TI commands about 30% of the Chinese market for mobile phone chips and faces challenges from rivals Infienon and NXP, who both have paid attention to platforms for low-price handsets as well.
For instance, Infienon controlled a share of nearly 20% in the market in the second quarter of this year, and other foreign competitors have also followed in MediaTek's step to develop handset platforms integrating all functions of mobile phones. Insiders in the sector opined that there will be throat-cutting competition in the market next year.
((SC)) (E) | |
| | ![]() | | | Mosel Inks Contract to Secure Supply of Raw Material for Solar Cells in Next Thr
Taipei, Oct. 1, 2007 (CENS)--Mosel Vitelic Inc., a Taiwan-based supplier of wafers and solar cells, has inked a contract worth US$190 million with China's LDK Solar Co. Ltd. to secure ample supply of raw materials to produce solar cells in next three years, according to company sources.
LDK, which became listed on the New York Stock Exchange this June, is also the largest supplier of silicon wafers for poly crystalline solar cells in China, with production capacity to reach 400MW by the end of this year, doubling the figure posted by Taiwan's largest solar cell maker Green Energy Technology Inc. LDK plans to boost the capacity to 1,000MW next year.
Since Mosel's venturing into production of solar cells, this is first time for the firm to officially announce such a large procurement contract for raw materials. The firm noted that LDK, which also supplies to Taiwan's E-ton Solar Tech Co., will provide material for Mosel to activate its second production line for solar cells next year. With the large contract with LDK, Mosel is able to secure 80% supply of raw material for next year.
Mosel has gradually phased out its agency sales of DRAM, and, before starting to make solar cells, could score single-month revenue of NT$300-400 million with its 6-inch wafer production. After starting mass production of solar cells this July, the firm has significantly pushed up its business operations month by month, with August revenue reaching NT$622 million, sharply growing by nearly 80% from July.
At present, Mosel has only one production line for solar cells, with annual capacity of 30MW, and is running at full capacity now. Mosel has readied required amount of raw materials for this year, and projects sales of solar cells at NT$250 million per month, with a gross profit rate of between 15% and 20% in the future.
Mosel wants to drive up sales of its solar cells to 50% of its total revenue by the end of this year, and now plans to set up the second production line. The new line will be become operational in the second half of 2008 as soon as possible, with production capacity if 60MW.
Besides, Mosel noted that thanks to supply from LDK, it has secured 80% of raw materials for use next year. With its second line to be completed, the firm will plan to set up its third and fourth lines next year.
((SC)) (E) | |
| | ![]() | | | KYMCO to Debut Myroad 700i Touring Scooter at Tokyo Motor Show
By QUINCY LIANG
Kwang Yang Motor Co., Ltd. (KYMCO), the largest manufacturer of powered two-wheelers (PTWs) and all terrain vehicles (ATVs) in Taiwan, once again wants to prove that it can ride at the head of the pack with the world's best by premiering several new models at the coming 40th Tokyo Motor Show 2007 in Japan.
The 40th Tokyo Motor Show 2007, one of the largest and most important trade fairs for wheeled vehicles in the world, will be held at Makuhari Messe in Chiba City for 17 days from October 26 through November 11 this year, with the venue open to the public from October 27.
KYMCO is the only Taiwanese motorcycle company, and one of the only four international major players outside Japan to meet stringent qualification certifications set by the show organizer to showcase their products on the same stage as the top-four Japanese motorcycle brands, including Honda, Yamaha, Suzuki, and Kawasaki. The other three famous foreign brands are Harley Davison of the U.S., Triumph of the U.K., and Ducati of Italy.
KYMCO says it will debut the Myroad 700i, a 700cc electronic fuel-injection (EFI) high-end scooter, one with the biggest engine ever produced by a Taiwan PTW company, at the show.
In addition, KYMCO will also unveil to the world its 400cc ATV, the MXU-400 at the motor show. The MXU-400 has been developed in response to significant demand generated worldwide by earlier 250cc and 500cc models, predecessors to the new 400cc once.
The bevy of impressive PTWs to be debuted by KYMCO will also include the Super 8 high-end sport 125cc scooter and Quannon 125cc street bike. One expects that the PTW and ATV sectors will be fully convinced of KYMCO's capacity to turn out world-class vehicles for the top end of the market. Plus KYMCO will be showing the G-5 to confirm its savvy to serve niche markets. The G-5 is designed specifically for the Japanese segment, where a scooter is needed for urban commuting and transporting over short distances, with a 12hp motor that is superior to almost all counterparts.
Myroad 700i
The Myroad 700i is KYMCO's brand-new flagship scooter featuring all the best in styling, engine performance, and equipment. The company claims that it has spent three years developing the advanced 700cc liquid-cooled EFI engine as well as many other sophisticated equipment on the scooter, such as the electrically-adjustable rear suspension that lets the rider choose the most suitable dampening mode for different road conditions, or the automatic ABS for excellent braking safety.
KYMCO developed the high-end touring scooter by focusing on several design criteria, including technology, luxury, comfort, styling, and safety. With a powerful 700cc EFI high-tech engine, the Myroad is capable of keeping up to big bikes on long rides on the open road, as well offering elegant styling, comfy seating that allows for prolonged cruising; while the anti-theft system, anti-lock brake system (ABS), tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS), etc. round out its lengthy list of standard equipment, requisite on any large-displacement scooter targeted at upmarket consumers.
The following profiles the other outstanding features on the new Myroad 700i.
Engine
The 699cc four-stroke DOHC high-performance engine (Euro 3) features liquid-cooling, eight valves, 10.5 compression ratio, 55ps maximum power, and maximum torque at 6.5kgf-M. The Euro 3-compliant powerplant adopts a closed-loop EFI system, enabling a top speed of over 170 km/hr, while its idle speed control (ISC) system enhances the cold-start performance.
The engine has a twin balance-shaft design to reduce engine vibrations and improve riding comfort. Its advanced continuous variable transmission (CVT) transmission system adopts the all-new high-strength belt to match the short CVT layout for upgraded transmission efficiency.
Electronic Dampening System
A switch on the Myroad's handlebar allows the rider to easily adjust the rear suspension to suit the road condition, including soft, medium, and hard, with the chosen mode displayed on the digital speedometer. The best part is that a rider can adjust it even on-the-fly.
Car-like Features
One of its car-type features on the Myroad is the state-of-the-art keyless ignition system that replaces traditional keys. With a very compact keyless ignition IC sensor in your pocket, a rider can fire up the scooter by simply pushing a starter button on the handlebar.
Another auto-grade feature is the TPMS on the Myroad, which checks the tire pressure on both wheels constantly to warn a rider with flashing light on the instrument panel when the tire pressure stray from acceptable settings.
Matching its powerful engine are the high-end floating-caliper disc brakes, 280mm up front and 240mm in the rear, providing reliable stopping power via the ABS system, while the extra handbrake, another car-type feature, offers better parking safety.
Night riding is made safer with the triple-eye headlamp adopting H4 halogen bulbs and advanced LED tail-lamp, so the Myroad not only offers that high-tech look but also excellent safety with much brighter illumination.
MXU 400
According to KYMCO, the design of the latest MXU 400 ATV integrates robust, classic American styling cues with the practicality and functionality of modern sport and recreational ATVs, or in short, toughness and style in one.
The MXU 400 fully complies with all European standards and meets the high expectations from the increasingly sophisticated global ATV market. KYMCO claims that the MXU 400 has design features incorporating subtle yet instantly-recognizable cues of classic design: ribbed hood lines, characteristic wheel arch flairs, and ultra- modern diamond-style headlights, just some of the key features making the new ATV a unique concept.
The MXU 400 is powered by a 366.7cc, four-stroke, single-cylinder, and oil-cooled engine with CVT transmission and carburetor. The high-efficiency engine is rated at a maximum power of 27 ps at 6,500 rpm and maximum torque of 3.3 kg-m at 5,500 rpm, as well as meeting the Environmental Protection Administration (EPA) of the U.S. and European Union (EU)'s emission standards.
Other notable features on the high-grade ATV include the steel cradle chassis, front/rear cargo racks, four-wheel independent suspension, front/rear disc brakes, mechanical parking brake, large-capacity fuel tank (15 liters), digital instrument panel, and dual front headlights.
KYMCO Dealer Night
To share the achievements made with its latest high-end products, KYMCO will be hosting the 2007 KYMCO Reception Party at Makuhari Hotel at 6:30 PM, October 26. The dinner party will see the senior executives from KYMCO cite dealers who generated good sales in 2006; talk about plans to explore key markets; and its Japanese agent KYMCO Japan Co., Ltd. announce sales goals for 2008.
| |
|
沒有留言:
張貼留言