Car makers rev up for resurgence in demand<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Dealers of 15 car makers displayed their new
\nproducts at Indonesia's first automotive show in three years in
\nJakarta this week in the hopes of a resurgence in demand.<\/p>\n
The Indonesian Automotive Show 99 set the stage for dealers to
\naggressively promote their products in anticipation of rising
\ngrowth in car sales next year, organizer Taufiq Hidayat of PT
\nAntheus Indo Ad-Pro said on Friday.<\/p>\n
"The car dealers are taking part in an event like this because
\nthey expect demand to grow," Taufiq said, recalling that the last
\nautomotive show in Indonesia was in 1996, the year before the
\neconomic crisis hit the country.<\/p>\n
Sales figures support their optimism.<\/p>\n
According to the Association of the Indonesian Automotive
\nIndustry (Gaikindo), 78,739 units were sold between January and
\nNovember. Last year, sales plunged to 58,303 units, from 395,000
\nin 1997.<\/p>\n
The theme of the fair, which opened on Thursday and closes on
\nMonday at the Jakarta Convention Center, is "Moving Toward a New
\nIndonesia".<\/p>\n
Some 10,000 people visited the exhibition on the first day and
\na lot more were expected over the weekend, Taufiq said.<\/p>\n
Also taking part are 16 producers of car accessories, such as
\nlubricants and car audio systems. Motor insurance firms are also
\nexhibiting.<\/p>\n
South Korea's Kia Motors made its Indonesian debut with a
\nsports utility vehicle (SUV), Sportage, and its sedan Shuma.<\/p>\n
Kia's first product to hit Indonesia's roads was the Timor
\ncar, the controversial national project that had since been
\nscrapped. Although fully built at Kia's Korean plants, Timor cars
\ncurrently found in Indonesia are designated national cars.<\/p>\n
PT KIA Mobil Indonesia General Manager Louis Sugiartono said
\nhe had sold 70 units of Sportage and Shuma in the first two days
\nand hoped to sell 150 units by the end of the exhibition.<\/p>\n
"There is a strong interest in our Sportage model which
\nfeatures the first four-wheel drive in its class," Louis said.<\/p>\n
However, he said, the main purpose of Kia's participation was
\nto introduce the company to the Indonesian market.<\/p>\n
Also enjoying a stream of visitors was Mitsubishi dealer PT
\nKrama Yudha Tiga Berlian Motors which sold 10 cars on the first
\nday.<\/p>\n
Marketing manager Doni Masubi said most sales came from its
\nKuda model, which is aimed at the family van market dominated by
\nToyota Kijang.<\/p>\n
Mitsubishi also displayed a new model in its Pajero range,
\nwhich is expected to enter the Indonesian market in May with a
\nprice tag of Rp 650 million (US$93,000).<\/p>\n
PT General Motors Indonesia, still relying on its SUV Opel
\nBlazer, said the exhibition was a good opportunity to strengthen
\nits presence in Indonesia.<\/p>\n
Marketing manager Paulus B. Suranto said sales of Blazers had
\nbeen increasing by an average of 20 percent per month.<\/p>\n
Paulus said Opel hoped to maintain the 60 percent market share
\nit had in the SUV sector.<\/p>\n
Visitors were mostly drawn to Zafira, Opel's new family van,
\nwhich could become available next year.<\/p>\n
"We use this exhibition to see visitors' reactions to Zafira
\nbefore deciding to invest in the new model here," Paulus said.<\/p>\n
The Texmaco group, which has been at the center of a massive
\nloan scandal, cast a rather bulky appearance next to Kia's stand
\nwith a range of its Perkasa trucks and a bus.<\/p>\n
Ramesh Kumir, head of the automotive division of PT Texmaco
\nPerkasa Engineering, said the company had received inquires for
\nsome 300 trucks during the exhibition. (03)<\/p>",
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