Ford reports 154% sales increase

JAKARTA: PT Ford Motor Indonesia (FMI) reported a record 154 percent increase in car sales for 2003, according to a press release on Thursday.

The company booked sales of 4,046 vehicles last year compared to 1,587 units in 2002. The first quarter of 2004 also started strongly with 1,236 vehicles, a 105 percent increase compared to the same period last year.

"Indonesia is a fast-growing and dynamic market for us and it continues to grow from strength to strength," FMI's president director Will Angove said in the statement.

Currently, FMI has launched four models: Escape, Everest, Lynx and Ranger.

Angove added that Ford had invested some US$40 million in land, buildings, facilities and equipment together with its dealers.

"We have also taken initial steps toward establishing Indonesia as one of the component suppliers for Ford plants in Thailand and the Philippines," he said. -- JP