Phl vehicle parts makers book $10-M sales at Taiwan trade show

MANILA, Philippines - Philippine vehicle parts makers expect to generate $10 million worth of sales from Taiwan’s premier trade show for automotive parts and accessories.

In a statement yesterday, the Motor Vehicle Parts Manufacturers Association of the Philippines (MVPMAP) said Filipino firms participated recently in the 2013 Taiwan AMPA show, a premier trade fair for automotive and motorcycle parts, components and accessories, held earlier this month.

“Initial reports from the six companies that participated in AMPA show that on-site sales generated was close to $2 million, while prospective sales from serious inquiries could amount to about $10 million during the next nine months,” MVPMAP president Ferdi Raquelsantos said.

The six Filipino companies that joined the AMPA were truck body builder Centro Manufacturing Corp., Famous Secret which makes high quality airplane parts, Hardware Labs which sells high-performance radiators, MD Juan Enterprises which is engaged in manufacturing jeep bodies and parts, Narida which is involved in remanufactured automotive starters and alternators, and Nito Seiki which makes premium machine parts.

Participation by the MVPMAP members was made possible with the support of the Manila Economic and Cultural Office (MECO), Taiwan’s representative office in the Philippines.

Philippine delegation head Wilbert Yuque of Hardware Labs said the AMPA was a very good opportunity for local parts makers to break into the export market.

“Both local and foreign visitors were made aware that the Philippines is capable of making high-quality export products,” he said.

“This inspires local parts makers to come up with more export products that are at par with those from other countries,” he added.

The AMPA had over 1,000 exhibitors occupying over 3,000 booth spaces.

It attracted 45,000 local visitors and 6,500 from overseas, mostly buyers.

For his part, MD Juan Enterprises chief executive officer Rommel Juan said the firm hopes to continue shipments of jeep bodies and parts as well as establish dealerships through its exposure at the AMPA.

“We are very excited with the success of the 2013 AMPA and with continued support from MECO, we hope to have a bigger and better participation next year with more MVPMAP members participating,” he said.