New names gaining popularity with the public<\/p>\n
Sudibyo M. Wiradji
\nContributor
\nJakarta<\/p>\n
Although the Toyota Kijang, Mitsubishi Kuda, Suzuki Carry and
\nDaihatsu Zebra continue to dominate the multipurpose vehicle
\n(MPV) market, several new models have also received a warm
\nresponse from buyers.<\/p>\n
Kia's MPV series, such as the Carnival and Carens, Chevrolet's
\nZafira and Honda's Stream are also gaining popularity on the
\nlocal market.<\/p>\n
For PT Kia Mobil Indonesia, which started to sell MPVs
\nin 1999, MPVs have made a significant contribution to its
\ncompany's total sales. Its two primary MPVs, the KIA Carnival and
\nCarens, have received a good response from the public.<\/p>\n
Approximately 3,992 MPVs, including the Carnival and Carens,
\nwere sold in 2000. By the next year, it had managed to sell
\n9,224. As of June this year, the company has sold 8,414 MPVs.<\/p>\n
\"Our sales target for 2002 is 9,000,\" said company staff
\nmember Yanti Soedarman.<\/p>\n
PT KIA Mobil Indonesia is also marketing other models,
\nincluding the Magnetis, Spectra Wing, Rio, Visto
\nNew Visto and Pregio.<\/p>\n
\"If the Kijang or Panther is included in the MPV class,
\nwe control about 10 percent of the market share. However, if
\nthey were excluded, then we control a 40 percent share,\" she
\nsaid.<\/p>\n
Yanti said that sales of MPVs contributed about 30 percent
\nto the company's total revenue for 2001.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, PT General Motors Indonesia is promoting
\nits Chevrolet Zafira. The marketing program that kicked off in
\n2000 managed to sell over 1,000 Zafiras in 2001.<\/p>\n
Chevrolet Zafira, named \"The Smart MPV\", is known for its
\nideal body size and Flex 7 concept. With Flex 7, the interior of
\nthe car can be easily changed within an incredibly short time,
\ndepending on the owner's needs. \"The Flex 7 system enables the
\ncustomer to arrange the seating according to his or her needs, in
\nless than 15 seconds.<\/p>\n
\"The system allows the customer to have 49 combinations
\nof seating,\" she said.<\/p>\n
\"Our sales target for 2002 is 1,000 vehicles,\" said General
\nMotor Indonesia's assistant director of Marketing Revyta
\nUnsulangie. With aggressive marketing efforts, she believes the
\ntarget can be achieved.<\/p>\n
Since it was first launched in Europe, the Zafira has won many
\nawards. One of them was Car of the Year and the Best MPV, she
\nsaid.<\/p>\n
On-the-road prices for MPVs vary, depending on the brand and
\nmodel. Prices range from Rp 107 million (about US$11,900) to Rp
\n458,530.000. A variety of MPVs in the Kijang line are available
\nat different prices. The new Kijang Short Minibus Standard sells
\nfor Rp 107 million and the new Kijang Long Minibus Krista Diesel
\nsells for Rp 178.93 million. A standard Toyota Previa is priced
\nat Rp 442.53 million and the Toyota Previa goes for Rp 458.53
\nmillion. The diesel KIA Carnival sells for Rp 254.80 million, the
\nKIA Carens sells for Rp 159.90 million and the Sedona sells for
\nRp 254 million. The Chevrolet Zafira carries a price tag of Rp
\n253.90 million.<\/p>\n
Automotive giant Astra International's subsidiary PT Toyota
\nAstra Motor (TAM) remains the market leader despite the growing
\npopularity of other MPV names.<\/p>\n
PT TAM sold 68,617 Toyota Kijangs and 28 of the new MPV model,
\nthe Toyota Previa, in 2000. In 2001, the company sold 56,096
\nToyota Kijangs and 76 Toyota Previas. As of June 2002, it has
\nsold 29,739 Toyota Kijangs and 34 Toyota Previas. The figures do
\nnot include the pick-ups.<\/p>\n
To date, the sale of Toyota Kijangs has contributed the
\nbiggest share in overall sales. \"Our sales of Toyota Kijangs are
\nbetter than sales of sedans,\" an executive said.<\/p>\n
The company's good after-sale service and availability of
\nspare parts in almost all major cities in the country are among
\nthe reasons why people choose the Kijang when it comes to MPVs.<\/p>\n
Well aware that MPVs have won the public's heart, TAM
\nhas set the sales target for 2002 at 60,000 vehicles and 65,000
\nin 2003.<\/p>\n
\"We will certainly continue to enhance the quality of our
\nvehicles to achieve this target. As competition becomes fiercer,
\nwe will continue our promotional efforts, either above the line
\nor below the line, through public display,\" said TAM's
\nCommunication Department Head of Marketing, Planning and CR
\nDivision Hendrayadi Lastiyoso.<\/p>",
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