Both Giant Manufacturing Co., Ltd. and Merida Industry Co. Ltd, two top Taiwan bicycle makers, recorded significant delivery volume and revenue growth between January and April 2000. At a total of 332,911 bicycles, Giant's bicycle delivery was up 31%, and revenue increased by nearly 52% over the same four months last year. The revenue for the first four months of this year amounted to a staggering NT$2.1797 billion.

Merida's bicycle delivery increased by slightly more than 14% over last year's figures, and the first four months of resulting revenue was up by nearly 28%. For the January to April 2000 period, Merida's revenue came to a total of NT$1.6177 billion. However, the figures should not be taken entirely out of context. Many of the orders shipped early this year had actually been delayed from late last year due to a dearth of essential components from Japanese producers, sources note.