Grand opening of “TAPA 2014” draws in various automobile manufacturers worldwide, showcasing Thailand as a leading country in ASEAN.
The Major event of “Thailand Auto Parts & Accessories 2014” (TAPA 2014) under “ASEAN Auto Parts Sourcing Hub, The Ultimate Green Technology” concept has begun. The event is organized by the Department of International Trade Promotion under the Ministry of Commerce, in collaboration withleadingThai automobile associations and organizations. There are 468 automobile companies and leading companies around the world exhibiting their latest innovations in 863 booths with an aim to open up trade and investment opportunity as well as showcasing Thailand as ASEAN’s major hub for automobile industry. The event is being held on April 28th to May 1st, 2014 at 10.00 – 18.00 at Hall 101 – 104 of Bangkok International Trade and Exhibition Center (BITEC) Bangna.
Mrs.NuntawanSakuntanaga, Director General of International Trade Promotion Department, disclosed that the department has been coordinating with automobile entrepreneurs from Thailand, China, Taiwan, Malaysia, the United States of America, Hong Kong, India, and Singapore etc. in organizing this event.We want to make it big this year as we prepare for ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) as well as taking advantage of the opening up of markets and investments granting Thai entrepreneurs more opportunities to expand trade between member countries. ASEAN market is considered a huge and an up and coming market in global trade. More than 16,000 visitors and around 800 million baht in circulation are expected during the course of 4 days event.
“There were 162,652 cars being produced in January 2014, a decline of 31.09 percent compares to the same period of last year due to less pressure to deliver the products under the first-car buyer policy. In December 2013 there was an increase of 2.36 percent in production. Overall production target in 2014 is 2.4 million cars with 1.2 million cars for exporting and 1.2 million cars to be traded domestically. Thailand’s major competitors are Germany, Japan, and Korea. Major buyers are Australia, Saudi Arabia, the Philippines, Indonesia, the United Arab Emirates, Malaysia, Laos, Oman, United Kingdom, and Peru equivalent to 60.48 percent of overall automobile exports. Auto parts export in January 2014 was estimated at 971.95 million US dollars, an expansion rate of 3.05 percent compares to the same period in 2013 accounted for 5.4 percent of the country’s overall exports. In 2014, an expansion rate for auto parts export is expected to be 10 percent due to weaken baht values. Based on national production, 40 percent will be exported while 60 percent will be sold domestically.”
Mrs. AchanaLimpaitoon, President of Thai Auto Parts Manufacturers Association (TAPMA)—one of TAPA 2014 organizers, stated that the event is a collaboration between the Department of International Trade Promotion (DITP), TAPMA, Thai Subcontracting Promotion Association (ThaiSubcon), Worachak Automotive Synergy Association, and Thai Auto Parts Aftermarket Association (TAPAA). Leading companies participating in the event are from China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, India, and ASEAN countries total to 468 companies in 863 booths. These companies include Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) and Replacement Equipment Manufacturer (REM). Foreign manufacturers (30 percent) will be in Hall 101 with 240 booths, while Thai manufacturers (70 percent) will be in Hall 102-104 with 623 booths.
“OEMs and REMs in Thailand, China, and Taiwan will be participated in this event. Moreover, many leading automobile companies are bringing their latest models with “The Ultimate Green Technology” using alternative energy, reduced exhaust gas level, as well as promoting road safety to be exhibited in the event. These include Toyota Corolla Altis CNG, Isuzu MU-X, Mitsubishi MIEV, Mazda CX-5Sky Activ, BMW Active Hybrid 7, andFord4DrEcoboost, Titanium AT etc. Product showcase includes OEM standard auto parts such as Panel Rear Door A’ssy, Brake Pad, Coil Spring, parts in power train Plasma Cluster Clean air filter Compressor, rubber seem along car doors, Gasohol gas pipes, radiators, and LED light bulbs etc.
There will also be exhibitions for motorcycles, trucks, and buses as well as seminars with interesting topics such asenergy saving technology, increased performance and safety standard of various automobile companies, exhaust gas releasing level, research study on energy saving vehicles in ASEAN, and marketing seminar on trading with Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, and Vietnam (CLMV) countries where economic growth have been continuously expanding.”
Mrs. Achana stated that TAPA 2014 is the 6th of the biennial event. The first TAPA was held in 2005 when Thailand celebrated its first 1 million cars production. The focus during the first phase of the event was on promoting auto part exports, especially in SMEs with less interest in exporting in order to drive the automobile industry to expand and drive the country’s economy. In the past 5-6 years auto part exports have expanded 8-10%, worth more than 300-400 billion baht annually mainly to Japan, Indonesia, Malaysia, Brazil, South Africa, India, and the United States of America. Thailand is responsible for more than half of automobile and auto parts production in ASEAN. In 2013 4.3 million cars were produced in ASEAN countries, 2.47 million of which were made in Thailand. Thailand’s automobiles manufacturing ranked 9th in the world with an aim of becoming the 6th and a production target of 3 million cars in 2017 by promoting Eco Car 2 project, a vital factor that will improve the industry production level in the near future.
“Thailand Auto Parts & Accessories 2014” (TAPA 2014) is being held from April 28th to May 1st, 2014 at 10.00 – 18.00 at Hall 101 – 104 of Bangkok International Trade and Exhibition Center (BITEC) Bangna. Business negotiation dates are April 28th - 30th. May 1st, 2014 is the retailing day for people to visit and purchase commodities. Please visit
www.thailandautopartsfair.com or contact DITP Hotline 1169 or
www.thaiautoparts.or.th for more information.