Honda to make minivan in Indonesia
Japan’s second-largest automaker Honda Motor will make and sell the Freed minivan in Indonesia from June, the model’s first overseas foray, Bloomberg reported.
The company also plans to export the Freed from Indonesia to other countries in Southeast Asia by the end of this year, Honda said Thursday. The company declined to elaborate on its sales goal for the model. The Freed, powered by a 1.5-liter engine, is now made and sold only in Japan.
Honda and other Japanese automakers are expanding in Asia, where economic growth is boosting auto sales, in contrast to declines in the US and Japan.
Honda’s plant in Indonesia has an annual capacity to build 50,000 vehicles. The Freed, which can seat up to eight people, was the best-selling minivan in the second half of last year in Japan.
Mercedes Benz was also reported to be conducting a study to determine whether its luxury vans will be produced in Indonesia for domestic and export markets.
The company also plans to export the Freed from Indonesia to other countries in Southeast Asia by the end of this year, Honda said Thursday. The company declined to elaborate on its sales goal for the model. The Freed, powered by a 1.5-liter engine, is now made and sold only in Japan.
Honda and other Japanese automakers are expanding in Asia, where economic growth is boosting auto sales, in contrast to declines in the US and Japan.
Honda’s plant in Indonesia has an annual capacity to build 50,000 vehicles. The Freed, which can seat up to eight people, was the best-selling minivan in the second half of last year in Japan.
Mercedes Benz was also reported to be conducting a study to determine whether its luxury vans will be produced in Indonesia for domestic and export markets.