Maleo on track

JAKARTA: Indonesian car-buyers will be treated to the launch of yet another "national car" when the long-rumored Maleo goes public in April.

The development of the Maleo car has been the pet project of State Minister of Research and Technology B.J. Habibie.

The small four-door sedan has been jointly developed by the Strategic Industries Supervisory Agency and Australian design firm Millard Design, with the group expected to have about 15 to show cars for the launch.

Power will come from an Orbital 1200cc, two stroke, three cylinder engine.

However, customers will have to wait until about the middle of next year before being able to get one on the road.