The Taiwan Economic News reports that a group of parts makers in southern Taiwan has announced plans to set up the Southern Taiwan Auto-Parts R&D Alliance and will cooperate with the Industrial Technology Research Institute (ITRI) to conduct automotive electronics R&D. The move is aimed at improving global competitiveness.
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The alliance is expected to become the second R&D alliance between southern Taiwan parts makers, following in the footsteps of the previously established Advanced Frontlighting System (AFS) research alliance.
At the invitation of Tainan County Commissioner Su Huan-chih and ITRI Southern Branch (Tainan) CEO Bill Tsai, more than 50 major parts makers in southern Taiwan participated in an exchange activity at ITRI’s Southern Branch.
It is also proposed that the authorities help in the setting up of a special auto-parts zone in the Yongkang Industrial Park in Tainan.
Tsai pointed out that the automotive electronics sector has been chosen by the government as a focal point industry slated for special development, and many research and academic institutes have sprung up to assist the development of the sector, including the Taiwan Automotive Research Consortium (TARC). TARC contains four members including the Mechanical and System Research Laboratories (MSL), the Center for Aerospace and System Technology (CAST), the Metal Industries Research & Development Center (MIRDC), and Chung-Shan Institute of Science and Technology (CSIST). In addition, several large local universities have established automotive-related departments.
Tainan Missioner Su said that the Tainan County Government would be happy to act as an intermediary to enhance the mutual understanding between southern Taiwan’s auto-parts makers and research institutes. Su also said that he looks forward to the establishment of the auto-parts zone in Yongkang Industrial Park.
Southern Taiwan is the centre of Taiwan’s auto-parts industry, with a regional cluster consisting of most major makers of auto lamps including Ta Yih Industrial Co. and TYC Brothers Industrial Co., Ltd.; body parts manufacturers including Tong Yang Industrial Co., Ltd., the world’s largest maker of aftermarket (AM) plastic body-parts, and Taiwan Kai Yih Industrial Co., Ltd; as well as makers of engine parts.
