Daihatsu to expand Toyota ties beyond existing KL, RI<\/p>\n
TOKYO (AFX-ASIA): Daihatsu Motor Co Ltd president Takaya
\nYamada said the company would like to expand its alliance with
\nToyota Motor Corp beyond its existing tie-ups in Malaysia and
\nIndonesia.<\/p>\n
"Our business in Malaysia and Indonesia is strong. We would
\nlike to strengthen our relationship with Toyota in areas where we
\nhave not yet set up our business," he told journalists at a
\nbriefing, without providing further details.<\/p>\n
The two companies have been considering ways to cooperate in
\nthe Asian small car market in order to expand sales.<\/p>\n
For 2001, Daihatsu targets offshore sales of 86,300 units, up
\n4.5 percent from the previous year, mainly due to rising sales of
\nit YRV model in Malaysia.<\/p>\n
Yamada said the company aims to increase competitiveness in
\nAsia by also strengthening links with local firms, particularly
\nin Malaysia and Indonesia.<\/p>\n
"Cooperation with local firms will be in the areas of
\ntechnical, production and human resources," he said, adding that
\nDaihatsu also hopes to discuss possible capital tie-ups with the
\nfirms.<\/p>\n
Yamada stressed that the small-car market is expanding all
\nover the world, and particularly in Europe, due to rising
\nconcerns over the environment and energy costs.<\/p>\n
"We expect small car demand in Europe will increase
\nparticularly," he said.<\/p>\n
"We also expect worldwide alliances in the small car business
\nwill accelerate."<\/p>\n
Vice-president Yoshiteru Yamanaka added that the company plans
\nto increase exports to Europe in the face of the rising euro.<\/p>\n
In the domestic market, Yamada said Daihatsu aims to become
\nleader in the small-car market as soon as possible, with market
\nshare seen rising to 27.8 percent in 2001 from 27.0 percent the
\nprevious year.<\/p>\n
The company plans to increase competitiveness by restructuring
\nits domestic dealer network this year, increasing models and
\nimproving services, he said.<\/p>\n
Daihatsu aims to cut costs by 30 percent over an unspecified
\nperiod.<\/p>\n
Chairman Iichi Shimiya said competition will heat up with the
\nrecently announced plan by Nissan Motor Co Ltd to enter the
\nsmall-car market "but on the other hand ... the (overall) small
\ncar market is expanding".<\/p>\n
Managing director Miehiro Morita said the company has no plan
\nto buy back its shares, despite the recent decision by Toyota to
\nbuy back up to 75 million shares for some 250 billion yen,
\nhelping to boost secondary market prices.<\/p>\n
"We would like to use our capital to improve the business
\nitself," Morita said.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/daihatsu-to-expand-toyota-ties-beyond-existing-kl-ri-1447893297",
"image": ""
},
"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
}