Indomobil to build Porsche 911

Indomobil to build Porsche 911

By Clay Lucas

INDOMOBIL is expected to sign a contract to build the 1998
Porsche 911 sports car. It also has plans to export cars its
builds to other Asian markets.

The company's head of marketing and business development,
Angky Camaro, said the licensing procedures for Indomobil to
start producing the 911 sports car were almost completed.

"We are finishing up a series of talks with Germany but
nothing has been absolutely confirmed yet," Camaro said.

Indomobil has been negotiating with Porsche for a long time to
import the car. Supplies may begin to arrive late next year or
early in 1999.

The car will be launched in Germany in January.

Porsches will be shipped to Indonesia in a completely knocked
down kit form, and will be assembled at Indomobil's Bukit Indah
plant, near Jakarta.

Angky said: "The car will be completely welded and assembled
at our plant. We will receive them as kits, as this will avoid
many problems involved in importing sports vehicles."

He was unable to give specific details about the cars'
specifications because Indomobil had "not yet signed on the
dotted line".

The 911 will cost about Rp 400 million (US$164,000).

"We are certain there is a market for Porsche vehicles in
Indonesia. We also plan to export to Southeast Asia," Angky
said.

Indomobil assembles Suzuki, Mazda, Nissan and Volvo.
SSangyong, Audi and Volkswagen products are scheduled to be
launched in Indonesia later this year.

The Indonesian government has banned the importation of sports
cars. Indomobil is expected to ask for an exemption after the
general election in late May.

Porsche representatives, including the company's general
manager, visited Indonesia last December to discuss preparations
and a finalized deal has looked imminent for some time.

Previously, the government has said it would try to stop
sports cars entering Indonesia, except those used by diplomats.