PT Toyota-Astra Motor launches new Corolla

PT Toyota-Astra Motor launches new Corolla

JAKARTA (JP): PT Toyota-Astra Motor is shrugging off the worst
ever recession in the history of the country's automotive
industry and launching the latest generation of its Toyota
Corolla tomorrow.

Despite nationwide vehicle sales collapsing by more than 80
percent since last July, Toyota bosses say the launch is part of
the company's long-term strategy for the country's small sedan
market.

"The whole industry is facing great challenges at the moment,"
said Toyota-Astra Motor president director Mikio Nomura, "But
however difficult the situation, we cannot give up. We have to
grow and to grow means to come up with something new."

Preparations to launch the new model began well before the
economic crisis began to paralyze the automotive sector, he said.

"I do not think the (current) situation will last long," he
said. "We have rainy days and sunny days," and added that he
hoped the sunny days would return by the end of the year.

The new Corolla, with a 1,800cc engine compared to the
previous model's 1,600cc, comes in three models; the Xli five-
speed manual, SE-G four-speed automatic and SE-G five-speed
manual.

Antilock brakes and driver and front passenger air bags are
two of the new features that Toyota gives the new Corolla a
distinct advantage over its competitors, which include the Honda
Civic, Mitsubishi New Lancer and Peugeot 306.

Off-the-road launch prices are Rp 125 million (US$14,700) for
the Xli, Rp 140 million for the manual SE-G and Rp 150 million
for the SE-G automatic.

"These prices have been set using an exchange rate of 6,000 to
the U.S. dollar," explained Toyota-Astra Motor general manager
Noertjahjo D. "We will keep these prices for the first three
months or until we sell 500 vehicles."

Any price increases would be determined by market conditions,
particularly the value of the rupiah, he added.

The sales target is 500 cars for the first three months and
150 per month thereafter. Company marketing director Nobuharu
Tabata said that even though the sales target was "not very
brave", he was hoping to increase the Corolla's share of the
small sedan market to more than 30 percent.

Noertjahjo defended the high price of the company's spare
parts. "Between 80 percent and 90 percent are imported and we
insist that all the official dealers and repair shops sell only
our parts to ensure quality standards are maintained." (jea)