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HKPC Outlines Roadmap for Automotive Parts R&D Centre

Over 70 participants from the local manufacturing sectors attended a briefing session organised by the Hong Kong Productivity Council (HKPC) today (7 March 2005) to introduce the scope of work of the Automotive Parts and Accessory Systems R&D Centre.

An initiative which was announced in December 2004 as part of the HKSAR Government's Innovation and Technology Strategy, the Automotive Parts and Accessory Systems R&D Centre will be established in the second half of 2005. Backed by its track record in supporting the industry through a comprehensive programme that covers technology upgrading, product development, quality management for compliance of industrial requirement, and collaboration with industry partners, HKPC was invited to submit a proposal to host the R&D Centre by March 2005.

Introducing the roadmap of the R&D Centre to participants from the local manufacturing sectors, companies and research institutions, Mr K K Yeung, Executive Director of HKPC said, "In line with the Government's development strategy, the R&D Centre will act as the focal point for conducting applied R&D and provide a platform for commercialization of applied R&D deliverables to enhance the competitiveness of the local industry."

"Through the establishment of the R&D Centre, we aim to assist the automotive parts and components industry to develop competitive new products and technologies to capture market opportunities. The Centre will also facilitate the private sectors to take part in R&D activities and ensure that the research results be ready for adoption by industry. The Centre will work towards enhancing the capabilities of industry in market intelligence, management, product design as well as quality standards for meeting international requirements."

"The potential technology development areas of the Centre will include automotive electronics, fuel efficiency, safety, environmental aspects and reliability," added Mr Yeung.

Highlighting the immense potential of this industry, Mr Yeung said, "According to HKPC's latest study on the automotive parts and components industry, there are presently 238 automotive parts and components manufacturers in Hong Kong. However, the number of establishments, including Hong Kong manufacturers and their Mainland operations, which have the potential to convert into automotive parts and components business is 24,000. On the outlook of the Mainland market, it is estimated that the sales of motor vehicles will continue to rise from 5.1 million units in 2004 to over 6 million units in 2007."

"In fact, HKPC has started investigating the technology content of automobile parts some eight years ago before the industry realized the potential prospects of automotive parts as an emerging business. In 1998, HKPC established the Hong Kong Automotive Technology and Knowledge Centre to provide the latest automotive market information and promote innovative design and manufacturing technology, and initiated the establishment of the Hong Kong Auto Parts Industry Association in 1999. The Council also actively promotes the adoption of the ISO/TS16949 quality management system to assist industry to comply with international industrial requirements," Mr Yeung added.

For more details on the Automotive Parts and Accessory Systems R&D Centre, please contact HKPC's Mr Joseph Poon at tel. (852) 2788 5702 or e-mail: jpoon@hkpc.org.

For media enquiries, please contact:
Ms Betty Lee
General Manager
Corporate Communications and Events
Tel: (852) 2788 5895
Fax: (852) 2788 5056
E-mail: justina@hkpc.org

7 March 2005