Toyota unveils new project in RI

Toyota unveils new project in RI

Novan Iman Santosa, Jakarta

Subsidiaries of Japanese carmaker Toyota Motor Company (TMC)
in Indonesia are planning a new venture to produce a multipurpose
van (MPV), which they say will set a new benchmark for the
world's automotive industry.

Under what the company terms the "Global Quality (GQ)
Project", PT Toyota Motor Manufacturing Indonesia (TMMIN) and PT
Toyota-Astra Motor (TAM) will produce an "international
multipurpose vehicle" (IMV) at Toyota's production base in
Karawang, West Java.

"The GQ Project, which involves breakthrough improvements in
the areas of development, production, technology and services, is
a part of Toyota's efforts to establish a new benchmark in the
world automotive industry," a statement from both firms said on
Friday.

"Unlike the production of other vehicles, the IMV will be
created through a multinational development process and supported
by a global supply network."

TMC owns a 95 percent stake in TMMIN in partnership with PT
Astra International, which owns the remaining shares. Meanwhile,
PT Astra International owns a majority stake of 51 percent in TAM
in partnership with TMC, which holds the remaining shares.

Officials at TAM, however, are tightlipped on the nuts and
bolts of the investment.

"We will reveal the figures later this year when we launch the
new MPV. We haven't set a date yet," TAM marketing director Joko
Trisanyoto told The Jakarta Post by phone.

However, TMC spokesman Tetsuo Kitagawa earlier put the figures
at some US$180 billion.

"Toyota has decided on Indonesia as its base for MPVs in the
ASEAN region, together with Thailand, which will produce MPVs and
pick-ups," Kitagawa told The Post on the sidelines of the Tokyo
Motor Show last October.

He said the GQ project was expected to produce 70,000 units
annually, 10,000 of which would be exported to both within and
beyond the region.

Many automotive analysts believe that the project involves the
production of a new model of the Toyota Kijang, perhaps the most
successful MPV in Indonesia.

"I cannot comment on that. Just wait and see," said Joko.

Earlier this year, TMC and Daihatsu Motor Co. Ltd launched two
jointly-produced MPVs, the Toyota Avanza and Daihatsu Xenia, both
of which are cheaper than the Kijang.

Both models are manufactured at Astra Daihatsu (ADM) factories
and sold through Toyota and Daihatsu dealerships.

PT Astra International has a 37.81 percent stake in ADM, while
TMC owns 51 percent of Daihatsu.