Jakarta Auto Expo next week

Jakarta Auto Expo next week

JAKARTA (JP): Without the participation of the two most
powerful local automotive companies, the eighth Jakarta Auto Expo
will carry on next week, an executive of the Indonesian
Automotive Industry Association said yesterday.

The association's chairman, Herman Latif, said that Minister
of Industry Tunky Ariwibowo is scheduled to officially open the
one-week exhibition at the Jakarta Convention Center on July 15.

Herman declined to comment on the planned absence of Toyota
Astra Motor and Indomobil, saying only, "I can understand their
reasons".

Industry sources say the two powerful vehicle assemblers are
not going to participate because they are preparing for August's
Indonesian Products Exhibition, which occurs once every five
years.

Jakarta Auto Expo, which will cost Rp 1.25 billion (US$560
million) to mount, is expected to attract seven local automotive
assemblers, including Krama Yudha, Jakarta Motors, General Motor
Buana Indonesia, Stars Auto Dinamika, Citra Mobil Nasional and
Indonesia Republik Motor Co., 15 component manufacturers, four
car audio manufacturers and 18 automotive-related companies.

"We want to make this exhibition an international-class
automotive event," Herman said, adding that the exhibition would
display not only locally-produced vehicles but also a number of
foreign-made "future" cars, including the Chrysler Neon, Dodge
Viper, Opel Corsa, Mercedes Benz S-320 L, Hyundai Accent and
Daewoo sedans. (rid)