Indonesia opens international auto show

ASIA PACIFIC DAILY

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By APD writer Maverick

JAKARTA, Aug. 10 (APD) – Indonesia opened on Thursday an international auto show that would host the launches of new car models crafted by international carmakers, showcasing new car models fitted with the latest auto technology that would run until Aug. 20.

The annual auto show, called Gaikindo Indonesia International Auto Show (GIASS), was organized by Indonesian carmakers association of Gaikindo.

In his remarks to open the auto show, Indonesia’s Industry Minister Airlangga Hartarto expected the event would educate people on latest technology applied in cars and local car components which already adopted by international carmakers.

The minister expected the auto show would help the government to improve contribution of auto industry sector to boost the nation’s economy.

“Indonesian car market is one of the biggest in ASEAN now, accounted for one third from overall demands in the region. It makes Indonesia has great potentiality for the development of auto industry,” the minister said in his remarks to open the auto show themed “Rise of the Future Mobility” this year.

Taking a venue in a convention hall located in Serpong, western part of capital Jakarta, the auto show displays cars produced by at least 30 carmakers from German, Britain, the United States, France, Japan, South Korea, India, Sweden and China carmakers.

Among the brands showcased in the Indonesian international auto show were Audi, BMW, Chevrolet, Daihatsu, Datsun, Honda, Hyundai, Isuzu, KIA, Lexus, Mazda, MINI, Mitsubishi, Nissan, Renault, Suzuki, Tata, Mercedes-Benz, Wuling, Toyota, VW and Volvo.

Indonesia serves as production bases for several foreign carmakers to fill domestic and foreign market demands, which eventually benefited the nation. Those carmakers have adopted domestically-produced car components thus employed local people.

Indonesia would see vibrant car market by 2019, to become the Southeast Asia’s second largest car market after Thailand, according to results of an analysis study carried out by Automotive and Transportation Practice Frost & Sullivan.

The nation’s car sale may grow up to 2.3 million by 2019, thanks to constantly-high economic growth, significant increase of middle-class people, expanding investments in automotive industry and favoring government’s regulations in the sector, according to the agency’s report.

(ASIA PACIFIC DAILY)