Asian federation will join IMMA – April 24, 2006
April 24, 2006
Filed under Features
More than 80 powersports industry representatives convened in the Philippines in March for a conference involving the Federation of Asian Motorcycle Industries (FAMI).
Singapore-based FAMI was launched in January 1999 to represent the motorcycle industries of India, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Taiwan and Thailand, all of which combine for annual motorcycle production of 13.8 million units. Jointly founded by the industry associations in these countries, FAMI is devoted to addressing common issues to support the sound development of Asia’s two-wheeler business.
Leading the conference was news that FAMI would become a part of the International Motorcycle Manufacturers Association (IMMA) as of April 1. IMMA serves as the voice of the industry in the United Nations and World Forum for Harmonization of Vehicle Regulations.
FAMI President Dato’ Syed Mohamad Aidid, who first revealed the plan to join IMMA in July, said FAMI’s inclusion in the IMMA would “further strengthen its presence at the focus of the global motorcycle industry.”
“Through IMMA, Asian motorcycle manufacturers will become more involved in the processes of crafting technical regulations and other measures affecting the industry at the world level,” Aidid said. “With this membership, FAMI has moved on from being an Asian-wide association to emerge as a player on the global motorcycle stage. We look forward to working hand in hand with IMMA to promote the welfare of the motorcycle industry on a genuine international level.”
Conference attendees also were updated on four FAMI task forces:
Harmonization Task Force
Delegates of this task force exchanged information on the latest situation for implementing European Union regulations within their own government and industry’s implementation plans. They also discussed the latest developments in safety, noise and emissions issues.
Statistics Task Force
The task force learned it would be re-named the Information Task Force to allow for the possibility of future discussions to go beyond statistical data. The task force also discussed the ongoing collection of FAMI member data regarding seven major themes — production, domestic sales, exports, imports, registration, in-use statistics and accident numbers.
Road Safety Task Force
This task force propagates road safety seminars aimed at helping reduce traffic accidents. Safety seminars have been held six times, with the seventh scheduled for November in Indonesia.
Delegates said the seminars have generated a positive impact in raising the road safety awareness of motorcycle riders in FAMI member countries. At the conference, each member association agreed to continue the Road Safety Poster Campaign in 2006.
Intellectual Property Task Force
This task force was set up last year in an effort to promote greater awareness of IPR infringement issues throughout the Asian motorcycle industry. Task force delegates meeting in the Philippines decided to launch an IPR poster campaign in each member country and to hold the first IPR Symposium on May 25 in Penang, Malaysia.
FAMI member associations include the Indonesian Motorcycle Industry Association, the Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association, the Motorcycle Distributors Association of Malaysia, the Motorcycle Development Program Participants Association of the Philippines, the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers, Singapore Motor Cycle Trade Association, the Thai Automotive Industry Association and the Taiwan Transportation Vehicle Manufacturers Association.