Carrying bathtubs in Kijangs

In response to the letter published in The Jakarta Post on Aug. 6 regarding Kijang ads, we would like to clarify as follows:

We refer to Chapter III, Article 13 of government regulation No. 41/1993, dated July 5, 1993, regarding road transportation, and Decree No. KM69/1993 of the minister of transportation dated Sept. 9, 1993, regarding the transportation of goods.

Paragraph 1: The transportation of goods using motor vehicles should be carried out by means of cargo vans.

Paragraph 3: The transportation of goods as referred to in paragraph (1) may be carried out using a motor vehicle, that is to say a passenger car or bus, provided that the quantity of goods transported does not exceed the transportation capacity of the vehicle concerned.

The certificates of type/variant examination for motor vehicles issued by the directorate of land transportation, Ministry of Transportation Nos. SK.318/AJ.402/DRJD/99 and SK.163/AJ.402/DRJD/2001, stipulated that the Toyota Kijang fulfilled the technical requirements for roadworthiness, subject to the following conditions:

For Kijang diesel-type Grand Long: Net weight 1,440 kilograms (kg). Total approved weight 1,960 kg and passenger capacity 7 (seven) persons, excluding driver, and goods up to 40 kg in weight.

For Kijang 2.0 gasoline-type Grand Long: Net weight 1,490 kg. Total approved weight 2,010 kg and passenger capacity 7 (seven) persons, excluding driver, and goods up to 40 kg in weight.

Kijang rear seats may be folded down in order to create more space for passengers and also to carry more goods, as long as the vehicle does not exceed the approved total weight.

Regarding the Kijang ad -- the "bathtub" version -- we put a bathtub in the back compartment simply as a graphic way of showing how spacious was the interior of the vehicle. We did not show a Kijang actually traveling on the road with a bathtub inside.

HENDRAYADI LASTIYOSO, Communications Manager, PT Toyota-Astra Motor, Jakarta