Growth in Taiwan’s exports of e-bikes nearly doubled in the first five months of this year, according to data released by the Taiwan External Trade Development Council (TAITRA).
The average selling price (ASP) and export by volume of e-bikes increased 54.9 percent and 95.7 percent respectively, according to statistics compiled by the Taiwan Bicycle Association that are based on export figures from the Customs Administration.
The data come from a report by Navigant Research TAITRA released Thursday to promote a product showcase and panel discussion it is sponsoring at Eurobike next week. The event, which will include an analysis of export figures and product innovations, will take place September 1 at the Paris Conference Room at Messe Friedrichshafen in Friedrichshafen, Germany from 1 to 2 pm local time.
Navigant’s report shows that in 2015 Taiwan’s e-bike exports to Europe rose 16.9 percent and accounted for nearly 81 percent of such exports. Shipments to NAFTA (United States, Canada and Mexico) grew 30.48 percent to 7,034 units.
Given the growing demand for higher quality e-bikes in Western Europe and North America, Navigant forecasts global sales of e-bikes will grow from $15.7 billion this year to $24.4 billion by 2025 despite an apparent decline in Chinese demand. In 2015, Europe and North America imported about three-quarters of Taiwan’s bicycle exports.
Breaking down 2015
Source: Taiwan External Trade Development Council (TAITRA)
Taiwan’s export of complete bicycles in 2015 rose 10.04 percent in dollar terms to $1.89 billion, compared with $1.72 billion for 2014. In unit terms, exports reached 4 million units, up 245,000 units, or 6.5 percent, from 2014. The growth was attributed to slower than usual growth in the preceding two years and favorable weather for outdoor sports.
Unit price for complete bicycle exports rose 3.27 percent, from $458.99 in 2014 to $474.02 in 2015. It has surged 24.75 percent since 2011, due largely to the shift toward more expensive e-bikes and a broader migration toward higher-end products.
Mountain bikes remained the biggest export category in 2015, with shipments reaching 1.114 million units worth $763 million. Road bikes came in second, with 911,000 units shipped during the same period, valued at $652 million. Meanwhile, 585,000 city bikes were shipped, totaling $155 million in value.
