Australia set to help with 'people's car'<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Australian automotive suppliers are interested
\nin participating in Indonesia's low-cost \"people's car\" project,
\nwhich is expected to reach the road by 1997.<\/p>\n
The visiting Australian Minister for Industry, Science and
\nTechnology Senator Peter Cook said yesterday that Australian
\nautomotive suppliers could provide competitive components for the
\ninexpensive cars.<\/p>\n
\"Australia is the site of high quality and new technology in
\nautomotive manufacture and we believe we can provide competitive
\ncomponents for such a car,\" Cook said.<\/p>\n
Cook, who is due to leave Jakarta today after leading an
\nAustralian automotive delegation on a four-day visit here, said a
\nnumber of Australian businessmen would stay here a bit longer for
\nfurther talks with their Indonesian counterparts on possible
\ncooperation on the project.<\/p>\n
\"The head contractors, associated with the production of the
\nvehicles, are looking at what Australian inputs might be... Thus,
\nit is necessary to get down to the details, about what is needed,
\nwhat Australia can supply,\" Cook said.<\/p>\n
The people's car, which is being developed by the state
\naircraft manufacturer PT IPTN in cooperation with the British-
\nbased car manufacturer Rover, will be the cheapest sedan in
\nIndonesia, at about Rp 15 million (US$6,700) each.<\/p>\n
On Monday, State Minister for Research and Technology B.J.
\nHabibie, who is also president of IPTN, said Australia could
\nbecome involved in the people's car project.<\/p>\n
When speaking at a hearing with the Technology and Education
\nCommission of the House of Representatives last September,
\nHabibie noted that all of the car's components, including its
\nengine, will be produced locally.<\/p>\n
Investment<\/p>\n
Cook said that Australian automotive companies are pursuing
\ndirect investment opportunities in the automotive industry here
\nto help reduce Indonesia's dependency on imported components,
\nespecially from Japan.<\/p>\n
Echoing Cook's views, the president of the Australian
\nFederation of Automotive Product Manufacturers, John Moulding,
\nsaid recent strong appreciation of the Japanese yen against both
\nIndonesian and Australian currencies did open up considerable
\ndoors for interaction between the two countries' automotive
\nindustries.<\/p>\n
Cook said the Indonesian government as well as the country's
\npowerful car assemblers, including Astra Motor, Indomobil and
\nKrama Yudha Tiga Berlian, had indicated their support for the
\ntype of diversity.<\/p>\n
\"Indonesian is to develop its local industry and to improve
\nthe degree of independence from major producers, in this case
\nfrom Japan. And therefore they would develop a strong industrial
\nbase,\" Cook said.<\/p>\n
During his visit here, Cook also met with Coordinating
\nMinister of Industry and Trade Hartarto, Minister of Industry
\nTunky Ariwibowo and State Minister of National Development
\nPlanning Ginandjar Kartasasmita. (rid)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/australia-set-to-help-with-peoples-car-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
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