Toyota launches new Corolla model<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): PT Toyota Astra Motor launched on Thursday its
\nnew Corolla Altis model to boost its presence on the local
\nautomotive market.<\/p>\n
Toyota Astra president Alam Wijono said at the car's launch
\nthat he was optimistic the public would respond eagerly to the
\n1800 cc Altis, despite the numerous choices available on the
\nmarket.<\/p>\n
"I'm sure we will be able to sell about 500 vehicles a month,"
\nhe said, adding that the company was targeting sales of 3,000 new
\nmodels this year.<\/p>\n
Dradjat Prawira, the Toyota Astra general manager for the
\nsales division, claimed that the company had received 600 orders
\nfor the new model from June to mid-July.<\/p>\n
The company will start delivering the Corolla Altis ninth
\ngeneration in August or September from its Karawang factory, he
\nsaid, adding that the first generation of Corolla Altis was
\nlaunched in 1966.<\/p>\n
Last year, the Altis model enjoyed strong sales of about 2,900
\nvehicles, which made it the market leader for medium-sized sedans
\nwith a capacity of between 1500 cc and 1800 cc, Dradjat said.<\/p>\n
Corolla Altis is competing with the Honda Civic and Mitsubishi
\nLancer in its market segment.<\/p>\n
"We're quite sure that we will continue to lead the market
\nsegment," he said.<\/p>\n
The newly launched sedan, which is assembled locally, is using
\na new 1ZZ-FE DOHC engine, which enables the car to produce lower
\ngas emissions than the previous model.<\/p>\n
It is also equipped with an ultrasonic sensor on the rear
\nbumper of the vehicle to detect any obstacles when the car backs
\nup.<\/p>\n
The new Altis model, which was launched in three series, sells
\nfor between Rp 236 million (US$20,700) and Rp 278 million.<\/p>\n
The Association of Indonesian Automotive Industries (Gaikindo)
\nrecently revised its national car sales prediction this year from
\n250,000 vehicles to 280,000 vehicles.<\/p>\n
Dradjat said that Toyota Astra would remain conservative about
\nits car sales target, adding that this year's target had been
\nrevised downwards to 83,000 vehicles from its initial aim of
\n87,000, due to sluggish demand, Dradjat said.<\/p>\n
"We can't be so optimistic because of current political
\nuncertainty," he said.<\/p>\n
He noted, however, that Toyota Astra sales rose 17 percent to
\n36,516 vehicles in the first semester from sales in the same
\nperiod of last year.<\/p>\n
The company accounted for about 24.6 percent of the total
\nsales of 148,541 vehicles in the first semester of the year,
\nDradjat said.(05)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/toyota-launches-new-corolla-model-1447893297",
"image": ""
},
"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
}