Daihatsu to boost production in RI

Daihatsu to boost production in RI

TOKYO (Reuter): Daihatsu Motor Co Ltd said yesterday it will
boost production at its affiliated companies in Indonesia and
Malaysia in 1997/98.

Daihatsu, owned 33.4 percent by Toyota Motor Corp, will also
aim to boost its exports to 137 billion yen in the current
business year to March 31, 1998, up 19.1 percent from the
previous year.

A company spokesman said Daihatsu plans to boost its exports
to the European market this fiscal year to 44,000 units, up 40
percent from the year-earlier period.

It aims to boost exports to the Middle East to 8,700 units in
1997/98 from 7,500 units in 1996/97, he said.

It also hopes to increase exports to Africa to 1,500 units in
1997/98 from 700 units last fiscal year, the spokesman said.

He said Daihatsu would boost production at PT Gaya Motor of
Indonesia, which is owned by Daihatsu affiliate Astra Daihatsu
Motor. Gaya's output is expected to hit 52,000 units in 1997/98,
compared with 32,000 last business year, he said.

Perusahaan Otomobil Kedua Sdn Bhd of Malaysia, which is 20
percent owned by Daihatsu, is expected to produce 91,000 units in
1997/98, against 68,000 units in 1996/97.

Cars produced at those affiliates would be sold in Indonesia
and Malaysia, he said.

Daihatsu declined to comment on the possibility of forming a
joint venture in India with Toyota.

"There have been media reports on such a possibility but we
have no comment on the topic," the spokesman said.