Kijang Innova to be exported to Mideast

JAKARTA: The latest model of the ever-popular Toyota Kijang Innova multipurpose vehicle (MPV) is ready to be exported to seven Middle East countries sometime next year.

PT Toyota Motor Manufacturing Indonesia (TMMIN) vice-president Johnny Darmawan said the company was preparing a special specification for the export.

"Quality issues are critical to buyers in these countries," he said.

Johnny, who is also president of PT Toyota-Astra Motor (TAM), was speaking during a breaking of the fast gathering recently.

TMMIN spokesman Irwan Priyantoko told The Jakarta Post the cars would be modified for the Middle East's harsh and dusty climate.

"We need higher quality of rubber for seals as it is hotter there," Irwan said.

The car also had to be equipped with better filters to handle the dust problem, he said.

This month the company is also set to export the Innova to Thailand, where it has previously exported the smaller Toyota Avanza MPV. The Avanza is also sent to Malaysia.

The exports were in line with Toyota's strategy to make Indonesia its global center for MPVs, Johnny said. -- JP