A newly emerging manufacturer of electrically- or manually-powered mini scooters, Taiwan expects these products will achieve strong export performance this year as their popularity grows.

Mini scooters are becoming an increasingly popular item in Japan, Europe and the US as a convenient, pollution-free, alternative means of transportation for city commuters, students, etc. Producing an average of 2,000 to 3,000 mini scooters daily, including gas and electric models, Whalinger Enterprise Co., Ltd. registered a more than 20 percent increase in the export of mini scooters in 1999 and expects to achieve even better sales performance this year. Shipments to the US, Europe and Japan account for 70 to 80 percent of the firm's export total.

A Tainan-based manufacturer of aluminum alloy or steel mini scooters, Gwet Yang Enterprise Co., Ltd. has exported 2,000 units to Japan since it first introduced its products early this year. Daily production currently stands at 600 units. Its aluminum scooter weighs only 3.7kg, while the steel model weighs 4.7kg. Since its mini scooters are foldable, commuters can carry them onto trains or other forms of public transport, according to Lee Pei-yung, a spokesman for the firm.

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