Gaikindo auto expo kicks off on Friday<\/p>\n
The Jakarta Post, Jakarta<\/p>\n
This year's Gaikindo Auto Expo will offer something different,
\nwith visitors being treated to the latest innovations from
\ncarmakers in the alternative energy field.<\/p>\n
Market leader PT Toyota Astra Motor (TAM), the Indonesian arm
\nof Japan's Toyota Motor Corp., will display the Toyota Fine-S,
\nwhich is powered by a hydrogen fuel cell, and features a Toyota
\nPrius cutaway engine that can be viewed by the public. The Prius
\nwas the first hybrid car to be mass produced and marketed in
\nJapan back in 1997.<\/p>\n
"These two cars will be the highlights of the event," TAM
\npresident director Johnny Darmawan told The Jakarta Post.<\/p>\n
The 10-day expo is scheduled to be officially opened on Friday
\nby Minister of Industry Andung A. Nitimihardja and will be
\nattended by 150 participants, including 25 automakers.<\/p>\n
German carmaker PT DaimlerChrysler Indonesia will exhibit its
\nA-Class fuel cell, which emits water. The car is currently being
\ntested in Singapore for everyday use.<\/p>\n
A call for green energy has been conveyed by the Association
\nof Indonesian Automotive Manufacturers (Gaikindo) out of concerns
\nthat Indonesia has been lagging behind neighboring countries as
\nregards public awareness of environmental issues.<\/p>\n
Gaikindo will also organize a two-day seminar on "The
\nIndonesian Automotive Industry and the Global Environmental
\nChallenge" on Monday and Tuesday, which will feature speakers
\nfrom Japan, South Korea, India and China.<\/p>\n
Apart from highlighting the need for greener fuel, the
\norganizers expect to see 200,000 visitors attend the expo and
\ntotal sales of Rp 1 trillion (US$102 million) -- higher than the
\nlatest expo in 2003 when sales reached Rp 600 billion.<\/p>\n
Gaikindo has projected that car sales will reach about 550,000 units
\nthis year, much higher than last year's 483,000 units. The
\nassociation has yet to revise its sales targets, despite the
\nincreasing prices of oil and steel.<\/p>\n
Some carmakers are expected to introduce their latest
\nproducts: the Toyota Fortuner, Hyundai Tucson, Suzuki Swift, Ford
\nFocus and Mazda3.<\/p>\n
As for the premium market segment, producers will display the
\nsuper-premium Rolls Royce Phantom; DaimlerChrysler's Smart
\nRoadster mini and the already-launched Mercedes-Benz CLS;
\nJaguar's X-Type Estate and XJ 3.0; the Bentley Flying Spur and
\nthe Porsche Boxster 987.<\/p>\n
Tickets cost Rp 20,000 on weekdays and Rp 25,000 on weekends,
\nwith each visitor having the chance to win a Fortuner. (006)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/gaikindo-auto-expo-kicks-off-on-friday-1447893297",
"image": ""
},
"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
}