Auto Expo set to put RI on the automotive map<\/p>\n
By Russell Williamson<\/p>\n
This year's Auto Expo, to be held at the Jakarta Convention
\nCenter next month, is set be bigger and better than ever before.<\/p>\n
The Auto Expo runs from Saturday, July 27 to Sunday, Aug. 4
\nand is open daily from 10.00 a.m. to 10 p.m. Admission is free.<\/p>\n
The Secretary General of the Association of Indonesian
\nAutomotive Industries, -- the organizers of the Expo -- F.
\nSoeseno, said there had been a tremendous response from
\ncarmakers this year with all the major players participating.<\/p>\n
\"Really our carmakers this year are frustrated because of the
\nnew regulations, especially with the Timor's special treatment,
\nand that is why they are trying to show off,\" Soeseno said.<\/p>\n
He said this would be the first of a new era of motor shows in
\nIndonesia, which from this year will now only be held every two
\nyears at a time that does not coincide with other regional motor
\nshows.<\/p>\n
This decision was made to ensure each of the carmakers would
\nbe able to offer the best displays with many of them importing
\nshow vehicles and concept cars from their international partners.<\/p>\n
Although there are no final numbers on how many cars will be
\non display, Soeseno said the space that the carmakers are booking
\nis far greater than in previous years with most stands likely to
\nbe between 500 and 700 square meters.<\/p>\n
The total space available for the show is 10,000 square
\nmeters, of which he said about 90 per cent was taken up with the
\ncarmakers' display stands.<\/p>\n
In previous years many companies only took about 250 square
\nmeters each but this year they are booking space more than double
\nthat area.<\/p>\n
\"The Auto Expo this year is to show to the audience that the
\nexisting auto industry could support and provide transportation
\nfor the government and the national development.<\/p>\n
\"In a positive way of thinking we are trying to promote our
\nproduct to other people and say that this is what we can do and
\nhow we can serve our people,\" Soeseno said.<\/p>\n
He said that although the show was largely aimed at the
\npublic, it also provided an opportunity for the whole industry to
\nshow the government that it was serious about and capable of
\ndeveloping the Indonesian automotive industry, even under the
\npresent national car policy.<\/p>\n
\"We want to make the government start thinking about our
\nposition,\" Soeseno said.<\/p>\n
\"We cannot market and we cannot sell because the competitors
\nare given such big exemptions from the import duty and luxury
\ntaxes.<\/p>\n
\"On the other hand we have to pay and we cannot import in the
\nway that Timor can.\"<\/p>\n
However, he said the Auto Expo proved that the industry was
\nprepared to press on and make the best of the present conditions.<\/p>\n
To emphasize this he said he was expecting the carmakers to
\nprovide plenty of exciting new models and show cars.<\/p>\n
Visitors to the exhibition can expect to see Bimantara's new
\nIndonesian-badged cars, the 1500cc Cakra and the 1600cc Nenggala.
\nThe company also hopes to have on display Hyundai's latest
\ngeneration concept car, the HCD III.<\/p>\n
The HCD III combines the rugged off road potential of a
\nsports\/utility vehicle with the performance of a sporty coupe and
\nis powered by a turbo charged 2000cc DOHC four-cylinder engine.<\/p>\n
Ford may be showing the first of its new European product
\nrange, the small Escort which is expected to replace the
\nJapanese-sourced, Mazda based Laser later this year.<\/p>\n
One of the star attractions on Indomobil's Volvo stand is
\nexpected to be the 850 driven in the British Touring Car
\nChampionships.<\/p>\n
Developed in conjunction with Tom Walkinshaw's TWR Racing, the
\n850 is in its third season of racing and is tipped as having a
\nreal chance for the title in 1996.<\/p>\n
Astra's automotive division will have a host of new products
\nand previews of vehicles to come.<\/p>\n
Pride of place on BMW's stand will be the all new 5-Series
\nwhich is intended to try and draw some of the attention away from
\nMercedes new E-Class, launched earlier this month.<\/p>\n
Isuzu will be showing its facelifted Panther with the
\npossibility of having a camper type version also on display,
\nwhile Daihatsu is sure to have its new Rocky and Zebra Espass on
\nshow.<\/p>\n
The Espass now has a 16-valve, 1600cc engine - which produces
\na maximum 82hp at 5600rpm and peak torque of 123Nm at 3200rpm -
\nreplacing the old 1300cc engine.<\/p>\n
Peugeot, the other European carmaker in the Astra stable, is
\nalso expected to offer an exciting display with a 306 rally car
\nand possibly a preview of the 406, which is due to replace the
\n405 about the end of this year or early next year.<\/p>\n
Although the other carmakers have yet to confirm what cars
\nwill be shown, with the support of their overseas partners, there
\nis sure to be something for all automotive tastes.<\/p>",
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