Mission Description:

Export Promotion Services Matchmaker Program is organizing an Automotive Parts and Services Matchmaker Trade Delegation to Bangkok, Thailand; Manila, Philippines; and Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The Matchmaker will target the U.S. automotive industry, including original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), aftermarket parts manufacturers, and composite materials and electronic component manufacturers. The focus of the delegation will be to match U.S. companies with qualified agents, distributors, representatives, licensees, and joint venture partners in the automotive industry.

Commercial Setting:

Thailand

Thailand’s automobile market rebounded in 1999 and will expand to reach its pre-crisis production peak of 600,000 units within 5 years based on a projected average growth rate of 22% per year. Last year the market expanded 51.5% to 218,330 units up from 144,065 units in 1998. Unlike some other ASEAN countries, Thailand has directed its policies in order to become an integrated automotive hub for the region, rather than to develop its own national car. Domestically, Thailand is becoming a more open market for competition among all the major world players, as more than 40 vehicle brands compete in the Thai market. Competition in the automotive after-sales service, particularly those offering routine maintenance like motor oil changes, tire and brakes inspection, will increase the demand for relevant equipment.

Philippines

Malaysia

Malaysia’s economy represents one of the biggest automobile markets in Southeast Asia and certainly the biggest market for automotive accessories. Although the Malaysian automotive market is highly protected by government regulations, the demand for imported automotive parts and components should improve as Malaysia plans to lower its import duties on car parts and components to less than 5 percent or less by January 1, 2002.

The Matchmaker's goal is to gain first-hand market information and provide access to key government officials and potential business partners for new-to-market, and/or new-to-export U.S. automotive firms desiring to enter these Asian markets.

Participants will spend two days in Malaysia, two days in Thailand, and two days in the Philippines. At each stop, the Commercial Service will provide an extensive market briefing, schedule one-on-one appointments with potential business partners for each participant, and arrange a reception to introduce the participants to key business and government officials in the automotive sector.

Timetable:

Mission participants will arrive in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on Wednesday, March 6^th. The participants will have two days of one on one appointments on Thursday and Friday, March 7-8. Saturday, March 9^th the delegation will travel to Bangkok, Thailand. On Monday and Tuesday, March 11-12^th the delegation will have appointments in Bangkok. On Wednesday the 13^th the delegation will travel to Manila,, Philippines. On Thursday and Friday, March 14-15^th the delegation will have one on one appointments. The Matchmaker will conclude the evening of Friday, March 15^th.

The Matchmaker will be promoted through the following venues: the Export Assistance Centers and Teams; the Federal Register; relevant trade publications; relevant trade associations; past Matchmaker and Commerce trade mission participants; various in-house and purchased industry lists, and on ITA's Internet home page.

Criteria for Participation:

• Relevance of the company's business line to mission goals
• Potential for business in the selected markets
• Timeliness of the company's completed application, participation agreement and payment of the mission participation fees
• Provision of adequate information on the company's products and/or services and communication of the company's primary objectives to facilitate appropriate matching with potential business partners
• Certification that the company's products and/or services are manufactured or produced in the United States or if manufactured/produced outside of the United States, the product/service must be marketed under the name of a U.S. firm and have U.S. content representing at least 51 percent of the value of the finished good or service.

Any partisan political activities of an applicant, including political contributions, will be entirely irrelevant to the selection process.

The Matchmaker will target 10 companies. The fee to participate will be $2,500. Recruitment will begin immediately and will close January 18^th, six weeks prior to the start of the mission. Applications received after that date will be considered only if space and scheduling constraints permit.