Daewoo to launch Nexia here next month<\/p>\n
By Matthew Allen<\/p>\n
PT Starsauto Dinamika, the local assembler and distributor for
\nSouth Korean carmaker Daewoo, will launch the Nexia next month
\ndespite reports that the company is downgrading its operations
\nhere.<\/p>\n
The car, displayed earlier this year at Auto Expo 96, will
\nenter the extremely competitive small sedan market.<\/p>\n
Starsauto's vice president director, Darwin Maspolim, said the
\nenthusiastic response the car received at the auto show convinced
\nthe company that it should launch the Nexia.<\/p>\n
\"We were surprised by the responses we gained from our
\ncustomers and the interest in our DOHC engine compared to that of
\nSuzuki, Honda and Hyundai,\" Darwin said.<\/p>\n
\"We already have 500 orders for the Nexia and aim to sell
\n2,500 per year.<\/p>\n
\"We cannot fulfill all our customer orders by January but we
\nhope to have the balance of the Nexias delivered by April, 1997,\"
\nhe said.<\/p>\n
Master plan<\/p>\n
Initially, Indonesia was part of Daewoo's master plan and was
\ntouted as its right-hand drive production base for the Southeast
\nAsian and Australian markets.<\/p>\n
However, the effect of the government's automotive policy and
\nthe controversy surrounding the Timor national car caused Daewoo
\nto review its investment here.<\/p>\n
The company now plans to assemble and sell only about 3,000
\ncars per year, down from earlier forecasts of about 20,000.<\/p>\n
\"Under the present circumstances we are only servicing the
\ndomestic market and evaluating case-by-case investment
\nopportunities in the components industry, not stamping and
\nmachining like our previous plans,\" Darwin said.<\/p>\n
\"Priority should be given to the component industry and this
\nis Indonesia's weakness. We should improve our component industry
\nto serve most of the car manufacturers worldwide,\" he said.<\/p>\n
The Nexia 1500cc engined base-model sedan will be launched
\nnext month priced at Rp 40.5 million off-the-road.<\/p>\n
For an extra Rp 2.5 million, the Nexia can be fitted out with
\ncentral locking, power windows, power steering, metallic colors,
\naudio cassette and extra rust protection specifically for
\nIndonesia's road conditions.<\/p>\n
Cost<\/p>\n
The complete car off-the-road will cost Rp 43 million,
\ncompeting directly against Suzuki's new Baleno in the ever-
\nincreasingly heavily populated sedan market.<\/p>\n
This category has been even more competitive this year as more
\nplayers vie for reduced sales.<\/p>\n
Last year the total sedan market was just under 38,000 cars.
\nTo the end of October this year, the sedan market had reached
\nless than 27,000 cars.<\/p>\n
Darwin was confident that the sedan market would reach 40,000
\ncars next year and the total market, more than 600,000 by 2000.<\/p>\n
Sales in the sedan market segment like the remaining market
\ncategories this year have suffered due to the tight monetary
\npolicy and the national car issue.<\/p>\n
\"We believe that the segment shows great potential and Daewoo
\nwants to increase its sales and grow in the market,\" said Darwin.<\/p>\n
\"We aim to step up our presence in the market by extending our
\ndistribution and after sales network and continue to serve the
\ncustomer and build, step by step, the Daewoo brand.<\/p>\n
\"For example, our 24-hour service is already established in
\nJakarta and Surabaya. Last month we set up another dealership in
\nBanda Aceh,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Currently, Daewoo has 23 outlets in Indonesia.<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/daewoo-to-launch-nexia-here-next-month-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }