Browse for the perfect car under one roof
Browse for the perfect car under one roof
Novan Iman Santosa, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
People with limited time who are interested in buying a car can
now browse and compare models and prices all under the one roof.
The latest mall in town promises all the conveniences and
facilities for every member of the family.
Realizing that urbanites have precious little time, the
management of Auto Mall Indonesia in the Sudirman Central
Business District promises to indulge and pamper prospective
customers.
The mall, apparently the first and largest of its kind in the
country, boasts a space of 15,000 square meters in a two-story
building plus a basement.
There are 20 car showrooms, 15 restaurants and shops, a car
spare parts and accessories section, a 24-lane bowling alley and
other conveniences such as automated teller machines (ATM) and a
parking lot that can accommodate 400 cars.
Amiswanto Winata, president of the mall management PT Auto
Mall Indonesia, said the mall was intended to give easy access
for people interested in the latest automotive trends.
"With so many brands here, a customer does not have to go to
separate car dealerships but is able to compare various types of
cars from different brands under one roof.
"That's exactly what we offer. And customers can bring the
whole family here as there is something for everyone," he said at
the soft launch of the mall.
Those not really in the market for a new car, Amiswanto said,
can simply window-shop in the mall and view the latest car models
displayed by dealers.
Bentley, Daihatsu, Ferrari, Ford, Honda, Isuzu, Jaguar, KIA,
Land Rover, Mercedes-Benz, Peugeot, Porsche, Range Rover,
SsangYong and Toyota already have showrooms while Audi, BMW,
Mitsubishi, Nissan, Suzuki, VW, Volvo move in next month.
Harley Davidson will also open a showroom next month.
Amiswanto said investment in the mall hovered at some Rp 25
billion (US$2.8 million) while the actual investment was higher
as each tenant also invested in their own premises.
"I don't know how much each tenant has spent on a showroom or
shop," he said.
Meanwhile, company commissioner Darma Eddie Salim said that
each dealership had invested at least Rp 300 million in their
showrooms, excluding the value of the cars, while a restaurant
spent some Rp 500 million to Rp 1.5 billion each.
He also said that the 24-lane bowling alley was worth more
than Rp 10 billion.
When asked about other investments, Amiswanto said the company
was eyeing Surabaya, but he could not provide a detailed time
frame.
"We have to consider the domestic economic situation before
expanding our operation. Maybe we can do it in another three or
four years.
"On the other hand, we cannot prevent other businesspeople
from copying the concept and establishing their own automotive
mall as long as they do not use our trade mark," he said.
Amiswanto said the establishment of more automotive malls
would mean the creation of more jobs and that was more important
than just seeking profit.
When asked about the involvement of Tommy Winata, Amiswanto
said that the tycoon had nothing to do with the mall other than
allowing the mall to be constructed on his land.
"We have permission from the landowner, Tommy Winata, to use
the plot of land for four years because he could not build an
office tower on the site due to the economic crisis.
"After the four years, we'll have the option to extend the
contract as long as Tommy is still unable to start construction.
We will be informed one year in advance if construction is about
to begin," he added.