Indomobil to fire on all cylinders next year

By Russell Williamson

INDOMOBIL is set to launch a range of new models and brands next year as the company looks to the future and puts the market volatility of 1996 behind it.

The managing director of marketing and business development for Indomobil, Angky Camaro, said that while the national car issue and floods in Jakarta early in the year had had a damaging effect on the total market, it was now in a recovery stage and 1997 looked promising.

Angky said that if the gross national product (GNP) remains around its current level of about 6 percent, the market should be able to recover to about 370,000 cars next year.

Of this volume, he said the passenger-car market could reach 40,000 sales, not including sales of the Timor car.

For Indomobil, 1997 offers a great deal of promise with at least three new franchises and more than six new models to be added to the existing stable of brands.

Among the first of the new franchises will be the German prestige marque Audi which is expected to make its debut with the A4 in February or March.

Powered by a 2600cc V6 engine driving the front wheels, the A4 is expected to be priced between Rp 140 million and Rp 150 million to compete directly against BMW's 2500cc straight six 323i.

The A4 will be offered in one model with a high level of standard features, including driver and passenger air bags, antilock brakes, air conditioning, central locking and power windows and mirrors.

Production trials of the A4 at Indomobil's new green-fields factory at Bukit Indah -- owned by PT Ismac Nissan Manufacturing -- are now underway.

Ismac Nissan is a joint venture between Indomobil, Nissan and Marubeni Corp which will assemble a range of Indomobil products.

Also new for 1997 will be the introduction of the Caravelle people mover and a rebirth of Volkswagen operations in Indonesia.

On the outside, the Caravelle is distinctive with the engine sitting in front of the passenger cell to provide extra protection in the event of a crash.

Two doors provide access to the front cabin, from where it is possible to walk through to the rear passenger compartment. A sliding door is fitted to the side of the Caravelle while rear access to the luggage area is through a top hinged door.

The Caravelle is powered by a 2.5-liter five-cylinder engine which generates a peak power output of 81kW at 4500rpm and peak torque is 190 Nm at 2200rpm running on unleaded fuel.

Drive is through the front wheels via a very smooth electronically controlled four-speed automatic transmission.

Inside, the Caravelle provides plenty of space, to very comfortably seat seven adults in a two-plus-two-plus-three seating arrangement.

Standard equipment in the European models, which is also likely to find its way into the Indonesian product, includes driver and passenger air bags, air conditioning with six adjustable air vents catering for all passengers, central locking and electric mirrors and windows.

Ssangyong -- the third new marque to find its way into Indomobil's lineup -- may be a name which is unfamiliar to Indonesians, however the power plant of this South Korean four- wheel drive is not.

Under the hood of the Musso, which will be launched in Indonesia as the SG320, is a Mercedes Benz 3200cc straight-six.

Priced at about Rp 142 million, the Musso will compete with Chrysler's Jeep Cherokee, Toyota LandCruiser and Mitsubishi's Pajero.

As a true off-roader, the Musso can be switched into four- wheel drive at the flick of a switch from inside the cabin.

Once four-wheel drive is engaged, the double wishbone and torsion bar suspension at the front and a multilink live axle at the rear ensure stability and grip is maintained in all conditions.

Other new models due for release next year include Nissan Infiniti I-30, Volvo 960 Executive and a long wheel base version of the successful Mazda E2000 family wagon.

The Infiniti will provide Nissan with a luxury prestige vehicle to compete against the likes of BMW 3 Series and Audi A4.

The front wheel drive 3000cc V6-powered luxury sedan is expected to be priced about Rp 150 million.

The Infiniti will be offered in Indonesia with a very high level of equipment, befitting its status as the company's flagship.

Leather trim, power-adjustable driver and passenger seats, power windows and mirrors, climate control air conditioning, remote central locking, cruise control, tilt adjustable steering column and a six-speaker audio system with CD player are all likely to be standard equipment.

On the safety front, the car comes fitted with both driver and passenger air bags, antilock brakes and side impact protection.

The all-alloy engine is a DOHC 24-valve V6 unit which delivers a maximum power of 140kW at 5600rpm driving through a four-speed electronic automatic transmission.

Mazda's new long wheel base E2000 will build on the sales success of the existing model E2000 which was launched in July at the Jakarta Auto Expo.

The E2000 boasts a monocoque body -- which incorporates the body and chassis into one unit -- for improved safety and more car-like ride and handling.

Under the hood is a four-cylinder SOHC 2000cc engine driving the rear wheels through a five-speed manual gearbox.

The current E2000 is priced at Rp 46,500,000 on the road and customers can expect a small increase for the long wheel base model.