Bathtub-plus in Kijangs

Bathtub-plus in Kijangs

I refer to the letter Carrying bathtubs in Kijangs from the
communications manager, Toyota, published on Sept. 2. I want to
urge him very strongly to have the certificates for Kijangs
amended by the proper authorities to increase their carrying
capacity by an additional, say, 200 kg.

Having driven long distances with well over the proposed new
figure, both live weight (12 persons, at an average 65 kgs) and
dead weight (cement and other materials for the building of my
home), I can confirm what thousands of other owners know -- that
the Kijang is completely stable and safe at all speeds when
carrying such weight.

In relation to what is carried, apart from weight the other
factor is the driver's ability to see properly. However, when
stopped by police for a bribe, no mention is made of the
inability, perhaps, to see through the rear view mirror; only to
the fact that you are carrying goods. I assume that every owner
carrying his supermarket purchases home is liable to such
persecution, or someone traveling to the airport.

It is very important to Toyota, in their future sales, and to
owners, that the permit they now have be changed (the bribe for
this might only be a few million rupiah) and that the National
Police chief direct his men to stop harassing Kijang owners for
carrying their own personal goods in their own vehicles.

W. WALLER, Cianjur, West Java