Debating the feasibility of owning a convenient or luxury car
Debating the feasibility of owning a convenient or luxury car
JAKARTA (JP): Over the past few years, members of the public
have debated what the correct definition is for "ordinary" cars
and "exclusive" cars.
For many, it is not easy to differentiate the two, but it is
easy to feel and see the difference. The crystal clear
distinction is that the latter category is usually owned by the
"haves" due to its dear price tag, which now exceeds Rp 1
billion. With that amount of cash, one could purchase 10 ordinary
cars.
The presence of both vehicle types on the streets here also
reveals that the country has two distinctive classes of
consumers: the ultra rich and the middle class.
Do not underestimate the number of people who are able to buy
luxury cars. Last year, at least 212 vehicles of 3,000 cc class
engines were sold.
Buyers from the ordinary car category, which carries a price
tag of between Rp 80 million and just over Rp 100 million per
vehicle, are, of course, still the highest.
In terms of numbers, individuals who have not yet been able to
own a car are higher in this country.
Besides the price, what comprises an ordinary car?
A Toyota Kijang equipped with a mobile TV, Global Positioning
System (GPS), the best quality leather seats and a high class
sound system could probably be classified as an exclusive
automobile.
That is why some automotive observers define exclusive cars as
vehicles with high-priced accessories that drive the car's price
upwards but are more comfortable to drive.
The low price of an ordinary car is usually due to its engine
power, which is sometimes about 1,000 cc.
Even Mercedes Benz, widely known for its high-quality
products, has launched an ordinary car called the Smart Car, in
cooperation with Swiss watch manufacturer Swatch. With an engine
capacity of "only" 599 cc, three cylinders, six valves and a
turbochanger, the Smart Car can accelerate to 135 kilometers per
hour.
In Indonesia, ordinary cars, whether they are locally
assembled or not, come in a wide range of models and colors. Some
come in a miniature size and in funky colors. The Atoz from
Hyundai, the Karimun from Suzuki, the Matiz from Daewoo and the
Visto from KIA are just a few of the models that have hit the
streets here.
On weekends, the streets are more colorful with the presence
of both funky ordinary cars and the glittering exclusive ones.
The list is much longer overseas, which include vehicles like
the Chatenet Media, the Fiat Seicento, the Ligier Nova, the
Microcar Virgo and the Vauxhall Agila.
In Europe, this kind of car has sold well for several clear
reasons: heavy traffic, narrow streets and limited parking. To
meet the market demand in European countries, many manufacturers
designed a car with only two seats.
Another important reason many Europeans prefer to drive an
ordinary car, also called city car, is the quality of the roads,
which are mostly free of potholes.
Inside the car, European vehicles are equipped with numerous
gadgets, such as air-conditioning, a CD player, air bag and an
antilock brake system, similar to those installed in exclusive
cars.
The Japanese also buy city cars for the same reasons. So far,
the most popular vehicle in this class is the Suzuki Karimun,
which is called the Suzuki Wagon R.
Interestingly, the Japanese treat their Karimun like a beloved
toy. They decorate it in many ways that would astound foreign
visitors. As a result, there is a wide range of accessories for
the Karimun available in Japan.
In Indonesia, the story is different. Many think the Karimun
is only for women even though advertisements have repeatedly said
that it has an ample interior.
But many car manufacturers here firmly believe that these type
of cars will lead the market soon, but not because of heavy
traffic and limited parking. It is simply because of the
affordable price as there are so many Indonesians who have yet to
own a car.