The public demand for better air quality and the emerging trend of energy efficiency and emissions reduction have made the research and development as well as the introduction of eco-friendly vehicles a top priority in the automotive industry. The fifth edition of Eco Expo Asia held in Asia World-Expo, Hong Kong successfully concluded last month. Over 260 exhibitors from 19 counties and regions participated in the event, representing a 33 percent increase, and in exhibition space that had also been expanded by 70 percent from last year.
As one of the highlights of the 2010 Expo, the Eco-friendly Vehicle Zone was doubled in size covering more than 500 square metres. It displayed various new eco-friendly and electric vehicles, including hybrid, motorcycles, bus, taxi, jeep, delivery van and segway while some of them had made their first appearance in Hong Kong.
On the public day on 6 November, test drives and rides of eco-friendly vehicles were available for public. The public test drives and rides in Hong Kong were offered by Volkswagen Touareg Hybrid and electric buses created by Great Dragon International Corporation Limited.
This year, many countries and regions supported the fair and organised pavilions. In addition to the fair’s partner country, the US, group pavillions were set up for the UK, France, Japan, Macau, Foshan, Shenzhen, Guangdong, Kunming and Jiangmen. Locally, Hong Kong Environmental Industry Association, Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation and Green Council also brought quality environmental companies from Hong Kong to the fair.
Exhibitors and buyers of different countries and regions were all satisfied about the expo and the diversity of exhibits. "This was our first time to exhibit here and we achieved very positive results, much better than expected," said Ricky Lee, general manager of Wah Mei Tat Environmental Electronics Technology Co Ltd, Jiangmen, China.
"This is a great show. We always find what we need here and this year proved no difference. We have found a US firm that produces plasma lights which are 50 percent more energy efficient and four times longer than anything else currently available on the market. We will definitely be working closer with them in the future," Fred Ting, associate director of IEQ Global Pte Ltd, Singapore said.