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.