Quarterly Newsletter - Winter 2016 

View Website                                        Contact Us

• Focus On - Discover Global Markets: Advanced Manufacturing
• Upcoming Events
• New Export Resources Available
• In the News
• Recent Activities

Focus On - Discover Global Markets: Advanced Manufacturing

Discover Global Markets: Advanced Manufacturing, Scottsdale, AZ, Feb 16-17, 2017. This conference brings together trade experts, industry professionals, and U.S. commercial diplomats via panels and executive meetings. Attendees will learn about the latest global trends and opportunities for U.S. exporters of advanced manufacturing technology products and services.  Industries impacted include Motor Vehicle Manufacturing, Motor Vehicle Parts Manufacturing, Motor Vehicle Body and Trailer Manufacturing and more. Register by December 16 to obtain the early bird discount!

Upcoming Events

Expand Your Global Sales via "Automotive Meetings Queretaro, Mexico 2017!” Join us for a complimentary webinar on Wednesday, December 7th from 11:00 am – 12:00 pm Eastern Time for tips on how to get the most out of Automotive Meetings Queretaro, taking place February 20-22, 2017 in Queretaro, Mexico. The event offers a unique B2B platform based on pre-arranged meetings between buyers and sellers.  The webinar will answer the following questions: What are the business opportunities for U.S. companies in the Mexico auto industry?  Who are the OEMs operating facilities in Mexico – Autoliv, Continental, Eaton, Tremec, TRW and more. What capabilities and services do they purchase from U.S. suppliers? What is the best way to connect with them?  For more information contact: Eve.Lerman@trade.gov. Click here to register.

Smart Tech Opportunities in Greater China Webinar, December 7, 2016, 12:30 p.m. ET. Increasing urbanization in Greater China (China, Hong Kong, and Taiwan) is driving demand for Smart City technologies to cope with rising population density and the need for transportation solutions, energy efficient building designs and retrofit technologies, and the technology-enabled financial services that are vital for economic growth. Join our U.S. Commercial Service teams from the American Institute in Taiwan and the U.S. Consulates General in Hong Kong and Guangzhou to learn about the emerging opportunities for U.S. exporters in these sectors. Additionally learn about the upcoming Smart Tech Business Development Mission to Greater China and the ways in which the U.S. Commercial Service can help you grow in the market. 12:30 - 1:30 PM Eastern Time. For more information, contact Michael Marangell at michael.marangell@trade.gov or Gemal Brangman at gemal.brangman@trade.gov.

Business Opportunities in Central America Webinar Series – through Wednesday, February 1, 2017.  The Business Opportunities in Central America Webinar Series will provide valuable insights for new and experienced exporters to gain knowledge of export opportunities in this dynamic region. Contact Jessica.Gordon@trade.gov for details.

Transportation Technologies Trade Mission to Turkey, March 26-31, 2017.  The mission will introduce U.S. companies to Turkish Business partners, industry representatives, and Turkish municipal/government officials to learn about and benefit from various transportation project opportunities in the country. The mission will have three stops: Ankara, Izmir and Istanbul. Contact:  berrin.erturk@trade.gov. 

Trade Mission and Business Development Conference to Central America – March 26-31, 2017. The 2017 Trade Americas program offers U.S. companies the opportunity to explore seven markets in Central America.  Contact Jessica.Gordon@trade.gov for details.

Smart Tech Business Development Mission to Greater China – Taipei, Hong Kong, & Guangzhou, April 24-28, 2017.  The United States Department of Commerce, International Trade Administration, is organizing a Smart Technologies Business Development Mission to Taiwan and Hong Kong with an optional stop in Guangzhou, China. The business development mission will help expand U.S. exports for U.S. technology providers of Smart Transportation, Smart Building designs and energy efficient retrofits, and tech-enabled financial services. Participants in the mission will gain first-hand knowledge of the opportunities and challenges in each market, engage with government leaders, and meet potential partners, buyers, and representatives through customized one-on-one appointments. Space is limited, so apply now.  For more information, contact Michael Marangell at michael.marangell@trade.gov or Gemal Brangman at gemal.brangman@trade.gov. 

U.S. Automotive Trade Mission to Colombia, June 7-9, 2017.  The Auto Care Association and the International Trade Administration announce an opportunity to enter and expand your export business to Colombia and Latin America. The trade mission to Bogota is timed to overlap with the region’s leading aftermarket trade show, Expopartes. It is a cost-effective opportunity to gain firsthand market information and meet one-on-one with foreign industry executives, pre-screened to match your specific business objectives. Contact: carolina.arregoces@autocare.org.

Back to the top.

New Export Resources Available

Our New Exporting Video Series Can Help Small Businesses Do Big Things.   Each year, U.S. companies export well over two trillion dollars of goods and services. If you want your business to get in on the action, it’s important to figure out the best way to expand to new markets. The U.S. Commercial Service is launching a new Exporting Basics video series covering six critical topics to help companies succeed internationally. The first two topics can be viewed here: Topic 1: Get Ready to Export Topic 2: Plan Your International Market Entry Strategy Additional exporting resources can be found here.

China City & Industry Report: A Guide for U.S. Exporters China's emerging markets account for more than 50 percent of China's U.S. imports. Our recently released "2017 China City and Industry Report" looks closely at 19 of China's commercially important cities and 16 of its best prospect industries for U.S. exporters, including Automotive Components. Access the report here to gain valuable market knowledge as you consider entering or expanding your China business. Back to the top.

In the News

“Self-Driving, 3D-Printed Vehicle with Drone Technology.”  Mouser Electronics Inc., a global distributor of semiconductors and electronic components, together with Local Motors and celebrity engineer, Grant Imahara, are showcasing the final build of a 3D-printed vehicle with drone-launching technology.  Read full article. 

“Five Trends in Five Minutes: Trends Affecting the Aftermarket Environment.”  You may still view the fantastic hour-long webinar presented by the Auto Care Association on November 9.  The speaker (Mark Seng of IHS) talked about five trends affecting the automotive aftermarket industry.  Please click on the link below to view the presentation or download and listen to the recording on YouTube.  Auto Care Association Webinar: Five Trends. 

CAFTA Connects:  The U.S. Commercial Service (CS) can help you leverage technology to find new international partners through our new service, CAFTA Connects.  Working with our international trade experts, we can customize a virtual meeting schedule to meet with your business development objects in Central America and the Dominican Republic. Utilizing videoonference technologies whether at your offices or local CS offices, you will be able to deliver targeted presentations to prospective buyers, distributors, agents, and other overseas partners. 

Advantages: 

• Cost-effective to minimize travel expenditures 
• More interpersonal meetings than conference calls or e-mails 
• Scalability to include multiple markets in the CAFTA-DR region 
• Utilize your own technologies to deliver world-class presentations  

Contact Sandra.Hernandez@trade.gov for more information.

Back to the top.

Recent Activities

Global Automotive Team Participates in U.S. Automotive Aftermarket Shows

During the week of October 31, members of the U.S. Commercial Service's Global Automotive Team attended the two largest U.S. automotive aftermarket shows, the Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) Show, and the Automotive Aftermarket Products Expo (AAPEX), which are held annually in Las Vegas.    

At the SEMA Show, SEMA’s Senior Director of International Affairs, Linda Spencer, moderated international roundtable discussions regarding selling U.S. specialty equipment to the Middle East, Australia, and China.  The three sessions, held on October 31, included U.S. companies, ITA representatives, and international buyers from the respective markets.  SEMA organizes annual overseas trips to these regions to enable U.S. companies to learn more about vehicle customization trends in these markets, as well as meet with potential buyers.  The trips are organized in partnership with the International Trade Administration, as SEMA is a two-time recipient of  ITA’s Market Development Cooperator Program (MDCP).  U.S. participants receive market briefings and export counseling from ITA to assist with their exporting efforts.  SEMA’s 2017 trips include:  Abu Dhabi (March 28-April 1), Melbourne (May 23-27), and, Shanghai (September 6-10).

Also at the SEMA Show, ITA presented Export Achievement Certificates to three U.S. specialty equipment companies who have participated in SEMA’s overseas trips, and, as a result, expanded their overseas business.  This year’s recipients included:  Kooks Headers & Exhaust of Statesville, North Carolina; UnderCover, Inc. of Rogersville, Missouri; and, BOOSTane Octane Engineering of Bonita Springs, Florida.  Since 2012, twenty-seven U.S. companies have received this certificate at the SEMA Show.   

Photos (left-to-right): 1) BOOSTane Octane Engineering, 2) Kooks Headers & Exhaust, 3) UnderCover, Inc. and 4) Andres Castrillon, ITA/I&A’s Automotive Team Leader, Linda Spencer of SEMA, and ITA representatives at the SEMA Show.

At AAPEX, the Auto Care Association, in partnership with the International Trade Administration and the U.S. Commercial Service, hosted a matchmaking program with Latin American buyers as part of its MDCP award. The program successfully connected suppliers at AAPEX with a select group of pre-screened buyers. The Auto Care Association matched the participants’ buying and product interests, and scheduled more than 25 one-on-one meetings on Nov. 1-3 at the Sands Expo in Las Vegas. 

Back to the top.

The automotive industry is essential to the U.S. economy.  It is one of the largest employers, supporting more than 8 million U.S. jobs and is the largest manufactured goods export sectors in the U.S.  The Automotive & Transportation Team of the U.S. Commercial Service is dedicated to enhancing the global competitiveness of the U.S. auto industry, expanding market access, and increasing exports. To learn more about you how you can receive assistance in finding market intelligence, developing your export strategy, connecting with international buyers, or support at trade events, contact your Local Trade Specialists in one of our 100 offices around the U.S.

This newsletter is brought to you by the U.S. Commercial Service Global Automotive & Transportation Team. You are welcome to contact us at any time at autoteam@trade.gov.