Harley Davidson Revving Up Asia Expansion
Originally aired on Channel NewsAsia on April 7, 2017
My Channel NewsAsia story from earlier this week is something for the petrolheads: I talked to Harley-Davidson Asia about their expansion plans in Asia and Thailand.
TRANSCRIPT
A grand entrance for one of the most iconic brands in the world, synonymous with roaring engines, big bikes and all that’s 'Made in the USA'.
For over a hundred years, Harley Davidson has captivated the hearts and minds of motorcycle fans around the world. One region in particular has seen an increased interest and that's here in Asia, where the company is revving up into this new emerging market.
Facing slower demand at home, the motorcycle maker from the state of Wisconsin is focusing on foreign markets, which made up 38 percent of total sales last year.
Harley-Davidson has increased the number of dealerships in Southeast Asia as it sets its sights on the growing Asian middle class with increasing disposable income.
"In line with our international growth strategy to grow our international brand presence, we’re continuing that here in Asia and in Thailand for example we recently opened our sixth authentic Harley-Davidson dealership," says Peter Mackenzie, Harley-Davidson's Managing Director for Asia & Emerging Markets. "Part of that strategy is to be more accessible to more customers. So our increased dealer footprint presence enables us to interact with more customers at a regional level."
But a different market also necessitates a different approach. While Harley-Davidson is famous for its iconic, big choppers - called 'hogs' by their fans - they don't fit on some of the heavily congested roads in this region, roads that are mostly dominated by smaller commuter bikes.
"In order to be more accessible and more relevant, we’ve - you know - whether riding a small commuter bike or merging into a larger-scale bike, that relevance is there to acceptance of motorcycling. Models such as our Street 750 and our Street Rod, tend to be a more nimble and more urban bike for perhaps that heavily congested city environment," Mr. Mackenzie.
Despite high import taxes in countries such as India and Indonesia, Harley-Davidson is determined to head out on the highways of Asia.
Saksith Saiyasombut, Channel NewsAsia, Bangkok
Amicable ties emphasised as Philippines President Wraps Up Southeast Asia Trip
Originally aired on Channel NewsAsia on March 21, 2017
Here's my short Channel NewsAsia report on the visit by Philippines president Rodrigo Duterte at Bangkok's Government House today.
TRANSCRIPT
Thailand is the final destination of Philipines president Rodrigo Duterte's tour of Southeast Asia, as he arrived at Government House in Bangkok and is able finally make good on his promise to meet every leader in the region ever since he took office 8 months ago.
He was greeted by Thai Prime Minister General Prayuth Chan-ocha with military honors, before a delegation of both countries signed three MOUs to cooperate on a broad range of issues including science, technology, tourism and agriculture.
Both Mr. Prayuth and Mr. Duterte have emphasised the bilateral ties between the two countries and the pledge to continue with that going ahead.
[Rodrigo Duterte, President of the Philippines]
"With formal diplomatic relations for 67 years, we have [a] proven record of collaboration. We can and should rightfully strive to achieve more. As countries facing similar challenges, and as brothers in ASEAN, we have a joint stake in keeping our relations always vibrant"
[Gen. Prayuth Chan-ocha, Prime Minister of Thailand]
"And finally, as Thai-Philipino relations are entering the seventh decade, me and the president have ensured close cooperations to move forward our progress and prosperity of both our countries, its people, ASEAN and the region as a whole. Thank you."
Mr. Duterte will wrap up his Southeast Asia Tour on Wednesday as he is meeting with Thai business and with members of the local Philipino community, of which an estimated 16,000 people are living in Thailand.
Saksith Saiyasombut, Channel NewsAsia, Bangkok
"Safety Zones" To Be Established In Insurgent Deep South
Originally aired on Channel NewsAsia on March 17, 2017
Here's my short Channel NewsAsia report on the Thai government's deal with insurgent groups to estbalish 'safety zones' in the Deep South
Cobra Gold 2017: Are US-Thai Relations Improving?
My latest Channel NewsAsia report on the opening ceremony of Exercise Cobra Gold 2017 and the state of US-Thai military relations at the very beginning of Donald Trump's US presidency.
TRANSCRIPT
Around Valentine's Day for nearly four decades, the armed forces of Thailand and the United States come together for war games which actually demonstrate a healthy relationship between the two.
But that hasn't always been the case in recent years.
The relations between the United States and Thailand have been somewhat frosty since the military coup in 2014. The US has suspended millions of dollars in military aid and reduced its commitment to Exercise Cobra Gold. But this year, with the attendance of the highest-ranking US military officer in years, and the growing geo-strategic challenges in the Asia Pacific, the US may be slowly warming up to one of its longest-standing allies in the region.
This year's guest of honor, Admiral Harry B. Harris from the US Pacific Command, stressed the importance of a strong Thailand and the importance of restoring democracy in the country.
"The US alliance with Thailand is a deep and enduring commitment. We look forward to Thailand's reemergence as a flourishing democracy because we need Thailand as a strong and stable ally. We need Thailand to get back to be the regional and global leader that it always has been. We (missing word?) Thailand's leadership in Asia," he said during the opening ceremony.
Thailand, which was criticized by the previous US administration for the numerous delays in holding democratic elections, also opted for a conciliatory tone.
"The political issues remain political issues and The US have their (differing) opinion, but we have been training together for years and that's nothing special," said Gen. Surapong Suwana-Adth, the Chief of the Thai Defense Forces.
The affirmation of ties comes amid uncertainty about the role of the US in Asia with Mr Donald Trump as president.
But if the mood at this year's Cobra Gold is anything to go by, then at least military leaders from the US and Thailand are getting along fine.
The drills are the largest US-led military exercises in Asia.
This year, some 8,300 troops from nearly 30 countries are taking part in various combat exercises and humanitarian operations.
This includes personnel from Japan, South Korea, Indonesia, Singapore and Malaysia.
Saksith Saiyasombut, Channel NewsAsia, Sattahip, Chonburi province