Gaikindo auto expo ends on high note
The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
The largest automotive show in the country, the Gaikindo Auto Expo 2005, ended on Sunday, achieving a turnover of Rp 1.2 trillion (about US$123 million) despite falling well short of its visitor target.
The total sales exceeded the organizer's projection of Rp 1 trillion and doubled the sales generated at the previous expo in 2003, which stood at Rp 600 billion.
More than 4,300 cars were sold during the 10-day expo, which started on July 8 and was participated in by 25 authorized dealers and 125 general car importers countrywide.
However, only around 160,000 people of the expected 200,000 visited the biannual auto expo.
Chief organizer Prijono Sugiarto said he was satisfied with the outcome, explaining that smaller crowds and higher transactions showed that this year's event had attracted visitors of a "higher quality" that those of the previous years.
"It means that many of the visitors came here to buy the products offered here, instead of just looking around," he told The Jakarta Post.
During the event, the Bentley Flying Spur was awarded "the best of the best cars", Toyota Astra Motor was awarded the best exhibit, and Letta Juanghu from Mitsubishi was chosen as Miss Gaikindo 2005, or the best sales promotion officer at the event.
Expo sales data showed that as of Sunday afternoon, Toyota had the highest turnover, selling 812 units worth Rp 247 billion. Following behind was Honda Prospect Motors with Rp 202 billion with 888 units sold and Indomobil Suzuki with Rp 162 billion and 752 units.
Toyota's new sport utility vehicle, the Fortuner, was the most-sold product, with 594 of the SUVs taken home by buyers.
In the premium car category, PT BMW Indonesia's 7-series led the pack, with more than Rp 90 billion in sales, while seven Bentleys and six Porsches were also sold. As of Sunday evening, none of the Rolls Royce Phantoms, which cost about Rp 10 billion each, were sold.
The event was praised by most visitors, however several commented that the expo did little to promote this year's theme: "Indonesian Auto Industry Towards Friendly Environment".
"Mostly, all I see is new cars and new spare parts. I don't feel that the exhibition increases my understanding of environmentally-friendly auto technology," a 35-year old visitor, Jonny, told The Jakarta Post. (006)