PT Astra welcomes competitor

JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia's largest automaker PT Astra International yesterday welcomed PT Timor Putra National's plan to introduce a new four-wheel drive automotive series next year.

The release of Timor Putra's four-wheel drive vehicle would improve healthy automotive competition in the country, Astra's president, Benny Soebianto, said after accepting an award from Far Eastern Economic Review for Astra as one of the 200 prestigious Asian companies.

Soemitro Soerachmad, the president of PT Timor Distribusi Nasional, Timor Putra's sole distributor, said the new vehicle would be sold below Rp 50 million (US$20,721), including taxes.

Astra produces commercial cars with trademarks of Daihatsu, Isuzu, Nissan Diesel and Toyota, and assembles passenger cars, including BMW, Daihatsu, Toyota and Suzuki.

According to Astra's report, its net profit increased to Rp 470 billion last year from Rp 371 billion in 1995. It expects to book Rp 614 billion in profit this year.

Aid

Meanwhile Astra provided yesterday Rp 320 million (US$136,170) to the foster child program in Pontianak, Balikpapan, Medan, Padang, Manado, Ujungpandang, Denpasar and Ambon.

The aid was presented by the director of finance, Rini M.S. Soewandi, to the chairwoman of the national foster child program, Halimah Bambang Trihatmodjo, at a ceremony in the West Kalimantan capital of Pontianak.

Halimah is married to President Soeharto's second son Bambang Trihatmodjo -- the chairman of the widely-diversified Bimantara Group.

Rini said that the funding was given in conjunction with her company's 40th anniversary. This is being celebrated with a series of events throughout the year including seminars and sport tournaments. (10/bnt)