PT Toyota-Astra Motor launches new Corolla<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): PT Toyota-Astra Motor is shrugging off the worst
\never recession in the history of the country's automotive
\nindustry and launching the latest generation of its Toyota
\nCorolla tomorrow.<\/p>\n
Despite nationwide vehicle sales collapsing by more than 80
\npercent since last July, Toyota bosses say the launch is part of
\nthe company's long-term strategy for the country's small sedan
\nmarket.<\/p>\n
\"The whole industry is facing great challenges at the moment,\"
\nsaid Toyota-Astra Motor president director Mikio Nomura, \"But
\nhowever difficult the situation, we cannot give up. We have to
\ngrow and to grow means to come up with something new.\"<\/p>\n
Preparations to launch the new model began well before the
\neconomic crisis began to paralyze the automotive sector, he said.<\/p>\n
\"I do not think the (current) situation will last long,\" he
\nsaid. \"We have rainy days and sunny days,\" and added that he
\nhoped the sunny days would return by the end of the year.<\/p>\n
The new Corolla, with a 1,800cc engine compared to the
\nprevious model's 1,600cc, comes in three models; the Xli five-
\nspeed manual, SE-G four-speed automatic and SE-G five-speed
\nmanual.<\/p>\n
Antilock brakes and driver and front passenger air bags are
\ntwo of the new features that Toyota gives the new Corolla a
\ndistinct advantage over its competitors, which include the Honda
\nCivic, Mitsubishi New Lancer and Peugeot 306.<\/p>\n
Off-the-road launch prices are Rp 125 million (US$14,700) for
\nthe Xli, Rp 140 million for the manual SE-G and Rp 150 million
\nfor the SE-G automatic.<\/p>\n
\"These prices have been set using an exchange rate of 6,000 to
\nthe U.S. dollar,\" explained Toyota-Astra Motor general manager
\nNoertjahjo D. \"We will keep these prices for the first three
\nmonths or until we sell 500 vehicles.\"<\/p>\n
Any price increases would be determined by market conditions,
\nparticularly the value of the rupiah, he added.<\/p>\n
The sales target is 500 cars for the first three months and
\n150 per month thereafter. Company marketing director Nobuharu
\nTabata said that even though the sales target was \"not very
\nbrave\", he was hoping to increase the Corolla's share of the
\nsmall sedan market to more than 30 percent.<\/p>\n
Noertjahjo defended the high price of the company's spare
\nparts. \"Between 80 percent and 90 percent are imported and we
\ninsist that all the official dealers and repair shops sell only
\nour parts to ensure quality standards are maintained.\" (jea)<\/p>",
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