New models ready to steal spotlight at motor show
Novan Iman Santosa and Primastuti Handayani, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
Carmakers were racing against time a day prior to the opening of the second Jakarta Motor Show on Friday evening, but managed to unveil their latest products -- both CBUs (completely built up) and CKDs (completely knock down) vehicles.
Three carmakers -- German-based Volkswagen (VW), French car producer Renault and South Korean KIA -- will launch their new models on Friday.
On Wednesday, Japanese carmaker Toyota launched the eagerly awaited multipurpose vehicle called Toyota Kijang Innova at its plant in Karawang, West Java. More than 14,000 people have put their names down to get cars delivered, even before the Innova is officially unveiled. A day earlier, German car manufacturer Audi launched its new A6, which will compete in the premium market segment.
The motor show, which will run from Sept. 4 to Sept. 12, will be officially opened by Minister of Trade and Industry Rini MS Soewandi at the Jakarta Convention Center in Senayan, Central Jakarta.
Even though the event is actually a motorcycle show, the Association of Indonesian Automotive Industries (Gaikindo) welcomed the invitation to participate.
"The official event for cars is actually next year. But if the show only highlighted motorcycles, not many people would be interested," said Gaikindo deputy chairman Jongkie D. Sugiarto.
"Gaikindo members had actually agreed that the motor show for cars be staged biannually. But since many of its members have new products, we decided to support the event."
Project manager of organizer Dyandra Promosindo, Andy Wismarsyah, said the improved economic situation and stability of the country has boosted automotive sales in the past few years.
"We are aiming to make the Jakarta Motor Show a part of the annual agenda of worldwide automotive exhibitions in Asia, such as the Bangkok International Motor Show or the Beijing Motor Show," he said.
Twenty carmakers -- Suzuki, Honda, Toyota, Daihatsu, General Motors (GM), Isuzu, Ssangyong, Jaguar, Ford, Volvo, Audi, Nissan, Mazda, VW, Renault, KIA, Mitsubishi, Peugeot, Hyundai and Mercedes-Benz -- have confirmed their participation in the event.
In the premium market segment, Mercedes-Benz will display its SLK, which was unveiled mid this year, VW will unveil its Touareg, claimed to be the most luxurious SUV (Sports Utility Vehicle) in the world, and its new Caravelle, while Audi will show its new Audi A6 along with the Audi A8, which is the competitor for the Benz' S-class and BMW 7 series.
Other new products include Suzuki APV, KIA Pregio, Renault Megane Grandtour, Honda New Odyssey, Ford Ranger Hurricane A/T and Nissan Teana.
Seven authorized dealers of motorcycles -- Honda, Kawasaki, Piaggio, Suzuki, Yamaha, Kymco and Kanzen -- will also participate in the event amid the Jakarta administration's call to the Office of the State Minister of the Environment recently to go ahead with its plan to ban the production of two-stroke motorcycles, to reduce air pollution in the capital.
With a total sales transaction of around Rp 405.62 billion (US$44 million) and 180,000 visitors last year, the motor show is expected to lure around 200,000 visitors and reach total sales of more than Rp 600 billion.