Indonesia to export Blazer to South Africa this year
Indonesia to export Blazer to South Africa this year
By Matthew Allen
INDONESIA's automotive export income will get a significant
boost when Opel begins Blazer exports to South Africa later this
year.
PT General Motors Buana Indonesia (GMBI), the local assembler
and distributor of Opel vehicles, plans to ship between 300 and
500 Blazer sport utilities to South Africa as the part of an
ongoing and increasing export drive.
GMBI director of sales and marketing, Terry Johnsson, said
that so far it had only exported limited numbers of vehicles for
approval into individual markets.
"We have type approval for many African nations and we expect
to start exports on a regular basis by July," Terry said.
GMBI is aiming at annual exports of 1000-1200 vehicles.
Domestically, 1996 sales of Blazer were 3193 and first-quarter
sales this year have reached 1048.
In addition to the African markets, GMBI is also considering
exporting the Blazer into the Asian region.
GMBI would join other Indonesian car-assemblers which have
been exporting throughout the region for several years.
PT Toyota-Astra Motor (TAM) has exported engine blocks and
more than 6500 units of the popular Kijang model for the past
decade.
Isuzu sells the Panther in the Philippines, where it is badged
as the Hi Lander.
The general manager of the Isuzu distributor PT Tjahja Sakti
Motor Corporation, Bintoro Tjitrowirjo, said the company was
looking for opportunities to sell the car in other Asian
countries.
"Apart from the Hi Lander being left-hand drive, everything is
exactly the same," Bintoro said.
On the domestic front, Isuzu Panther sales during the first
three months jumped almost 3000 units to 9919.
Bintoro said the launch of the Kijang had assisted sales of
the Panther by creating greater interest in the commercial
vehicle segment.
Components of the Daihatsu Espass, another Astra vehicle, are
also exported to Malaysia.
Bintoro said the company would like to continue playing a part
in the region but domestic sales, rather than exports, would
continue to be Astra's main focus.
"We are not like somebody who wants to sell 4000 units a
month," he said.