TAIPEI, Taiwan (BRAIN)—Sales revenue for the month of August at Taiwan’s three largest bicycle manufacturers dropped by double digits, yet year-to-date revenue remains relatively stable.
Giant, Merida and Ideal report that revenue for August is down when compared to the same month last year, but overall sales for the year are faring well in a globally depressed economy.
Here are the numbers based on data from the Taiwan Stock Exchange:
Giant: Unconsolidated sales for August fell 18.2 percent to $41.8 million from $51.1 million in August 2008. However, sales revenue through the first eight months of this year has slipped only 3.5 percent to $294.8 million compared to $305.4 million in 2008.
Merida: Unconsolidated sales for August fell 17.5 percent to $32.2 million from $39.1 million in August 2008. But revenue through the first eight months of this year has dipped only 1.6 percent to $203.6 million when compared to $206.9 million in 2008.
Ideal: Unconsolidated sales for August fell 32.8 percent to $3.3 million from $4.9 million in August 2008. However, through the first eight months of the year revenue has grown 47.9 percent to $71.8 million from $48.5 million in 2008.
In general, Taiwanese manufacturers have taken a hard line on pricing despite weakness in the global economy. While the number of units Taiwan exports has declined throughout 2009, manufacturers have been able to maintain or increase prices at wholesale on high-end units destined for sale at specialty retail.
—Marc Sani
