Indonesia opens international car show

APD NEWS

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By APD writer Maverick

JAKARTA, April 19 (APD) — Indonesian President Joko Widodo opened on Thursday the annual international car show that would run until April 29, expecting the event to further promote production of electric cars in the country.

“The theme opted for this year’s IIIMS (Indonesia International Motor Show) shows string commitment towards electric cars. The organizer has realized that the Industry 4.0 drive is also directed to automotive sector,” the president said in his remarks to open the car show, referring to the nation’s recently-announced industrial drive applied in several manufacturing sectors, including automotive.

During the IIMS event this year themed “Your Infinite Automotive Experience”, the organizer would set aside a particular festival to showcase experimental electric cars produced by campuses as well as those manufactured international carmakers.

Indonesia Industry Minister Airlangga Hartarto who accompanied the president to open the annual

car show said that event was highly expected to inspire auto manufactures operating in the country to increase their competitiveness in global market.

Indonesia saw rapid-growing production in automotive sector with 1.21 million cars were produced in 2017, significantly higher than 1.17 million cars a year earlier, the minister said.

The current car show displays the new models of cars from various kinds produced by world prominent carmakers, including Audi, BMW, Chevrolet, Datsun, Honda, Hyundai, Mazda, Mercedes-Benz, Mini Coopers, Mitsubishi Motors, Nissan, Suzuki, Toyota and Volkswagen.

Besides cars, the auto show also displays latest models of motorbikes produced by top brands in the world, among others

Aprilia, BMW Motorrad, Benelli, Harley-Davidson, Husqvarna, KTM, Motoguzzi, Piaggio, Royal Enfield, Triumph and Vespa.

The IIMS auto show organizer Liliek Oetama expected the current event to garner transactions up to 3.3 trillion rupiah (about 239.32 million U.S. Dollars), visited by at least 525,000 motored-vehicle enthusiasts.

(ASIA PACIFIC DAILY)