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.