"Taiwan's bicycle and parts line grew by 23.6 percent in the first quarter, with bicycle output up 24.2 percent to NT$8.97 billion (US$286 million) and parts production gaining 22.6 percent to NT$5.79 billion (US$184 billion). Increased exports of bike lights, wheel rims, and spoke products helped drive the strong gains.

In the past few years, Taiwan's bicycle makers have steadily upgraded products quality as well as added value and functions to their products with the help of the A-Team.

The A-Team is an alliance for the development, production, and marketing of high-end bicycles. The alliance was formed by the Taiwan Bicycle Exporters' Association (TBEA), two leading bicycle makers (Giant Manufacturing Co. and Merida Industry Co.), and a number of internationally known bicycle part makers. Other companies have since joined the alliance.

The A-Team aims to improve both the quantity and quality of bicycles that are made in Taiwan. Giant and Merida now jointly buy parts from suppliers that are also alliance members, which means more business for the suppliers but also more work on product development. The ultimate goal is to give Giant and Merida an image similar to that of BMW and Mercedes-Benz.

The delayed shipments of derailleurs by Shimano of Japan, the world's largest bike-parts maker, has driven some buyers to turn to SRAM of the U.S., SR Suntour of Taiwan, and Campagnolo of Italy."

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