Australian 4WD maker ventures into Indonesia
By Russell Williamson
AUSTRALIAN specialty four-wheel-drive vehicle manufacturer, Oka Motor Company, is hoping to start building its unique vehicles with a joint-venture partner in Indonesia by the middle of next year.
The company presently builds vehicles at its factory in Perth, Western Australia, which are highly sought after by mining, tourist and military operators.
The rugged vehicles have been designed to tackle the worst terrain on offer and are exported to countries in Africa, Asia, North America, South America and the Middle East.
Oka has already had a number of vehicles under evaluation in Indonesia and recently shipped two new vehicles built to order to customers here.
The chief executive officer of Oka, Mike Walker, said although he could not name the joint venture partner as negotiations were yet to be finalized, he was confident of the two companies building a successful business together.
"We are looking at Indonesia as being a good profit center for us," Walker said.
He said the push into Indonesia was part of a worldwide campaign by the company to make exports from Australia the major part of its business over the next 12 months to 18 months.
"At the moment, it is about 80 percent Australian and 20 percent overseas exports but that will turn the opposite and become 80 percent overseas and 20 percent domestic," Walker said.
"We are targeting certain countries around the world like Indonesia, the Philippines, Thailand, Malaysia, South Africa, India and Pakistan," he said.
The vehicles, which will be built in Indonesia, will be based on the same 2.5 tonne full-time four-wheel-drive vehicle the company produces in Australia.
The Oka is a forward-control vehicle built on a ladder-frame chassis and offers a wide range of body styles from single and double-cab chassis through to a 13-seat bus.
Power comes from a 4000cc Perkins turbocharged V8 diesel engine driving all four wheels.
With high ground clearance and a roll-over protection structure similar to that found on tractors, the Oka has found favor with companies operating in diverse and difficult conditions.
In addition to this vehicle, Oka may also add a smaller two- wheel-drive vehicle dubbed the "rural transport vehicle" which is currently being developed in a joint venture with Indian manufacturer, Hindustan Motors.
The vehicle has been designed to carry both passengers and goods and will be powered by a 2000cc Isuzu diesel engine driving through a locally developed manual gearbox, both of which are currently manufactured in India.
The vehicle is expected to go into production in India next year and could be built by other Oka joint ventures, including the Indonesian operation, at a later stage.
Oka is also looking at the possibility of establishing an assembly operation in Malaysia to further boost its international profile.
The company was formed in 1986 and has gone through some turbulent times, the latest being fending off a takeover bid earlier this year.
However, Walker said an injection of several million dollars capital and the prospect of increased business overseas augured well for the company.
"Morale took a terrible battering when things were at their lowest, but a new optimism runs right through the company," Walker said.
"I am confident the size and capacity of our national and international sales network will double in the near future, as more people realize just how good the Oka really is," he said.