TEMPO.CO, Jakarta- Toyota cars manufactured in Indonesia have seized the interest of worldwide consumers.
“In the past, the majority of people in the world, even in Indonesia, are only interested in Toyota cars made in Japan,” said the deputy vice president of PT Toyota Motor Manufacturing Indonesia (TMMIN), Warih Andang Tjahjono, to ANTARA last weekend.
Warih added Indonesia-made Toyota cars had gain more popularity both in the domestic and international markets as signaled by the nation’s increasing exports annually.
In 2012, Toyota through TMMIN has exported 118,000 units to multiple countries in the ASEAN region, Middle East, Africa, and North America. The total Toyota units exported to these regions contributed 70 percent to the national car exports.
“Our production capacity is capable of anticipating the possible increase in both domestic and international demands,” said Warih, referring to the production capacity of Toyota’s Karawang 2 factory in that reached 120,000 units. The factory has just been inaugurated this year.
TMMIN has manufactured Toyota cars for both the Indonesian and overseas markets, including the Avanza, Rush, Fortuner, Innova and Vios, with the latest being exported to nine countries in the Mideast.
In addition, TMMIN also produces other models for the domestic market, such as the Low Cost Green Car (LCGC) Astra Toyota Agya, Etios Valco, to medium MPV NAV-1.
“As of now, some 90 percent of Toyota cars in the domestic market are made by this country,” said Widyawati, the general manager of corporate planning and public relations of PT Toyota Astra Motor.
Other models that are still imported by Toyota plants in Thailand and Japan, meanwhile, comprise the Corolla Altis and Camry, Alphard, and Hilux.
“The majority of best selling Toyota cars are manufactured in Indonesia,” said Widyawati.
Editor: Jafar M Sidik
