Toyota's sales rise 100 percent in April

JAKARTA (JP): PT Toyota-Astra Motor (TAM) sold 2,287 cars last month, a 100 percent increase on March's figure, the company announced yesterday.

TAM, the automotive division of publicly listed PT Astra Internasional, said in a statement that its total sales from January through April were 10,804, about 34.4 percent of the total domestic car sales.

The rise was mainly due to the sales of Toyota's popular Kijang van which in April totaled 2,081 vehicles.

Kijang's sales made up 61.2 percent of the month's total market for commercial cars in its category, it said.

The company also reported "surprising" sales of its New Corolla 1.8, which was launched at the end of March.

Total New Corolla sales from March 25 to the end of April were 221 cars, 141 of which were sold last month, the statement said.

Despite the growth, Toyota's sales in April were significantly down compared to the same period last year.

Its Kijang sales dropped 70 percent from 7,000 in April last year, while its Starlet sales tumbled 80 percent to 22 vehicles.

Land Cruiser sales fell 64 percent year on year to 34 cars, while Corolla sales dropped 67 percent.

TAM did not sell any Coronas or Dyna light trucks last month while in the same month last year it sold 78 Coronas and 55 Dynas.

The company's car exports, however, have risen significantly so far this year.

The company said its total exports in April were US$2.5 million.

Exports of the completely-built-up Kijang in the January-to- April period rose 42 percent compared to the same period in 1997 to 269 cars.

But exports of the 7K engine were down, to 5,272 during this year's first four months from 9,562 in the same period last year.

Exports of 5K Cylinder Blocks were down 19 percent to 7,100 year-on year from the same period this year.

The engines are exported to Taiwan, Japan, the Philippines, and Vietnam. (das)