Competitions Amidst ptimism

The country’s political map may be changing, but the automotive industry can sigh in relief as it has largely remained unaffected. The various elections for regional heads and governors has not shaken the domestic automotive business at all. Will Angove, president director of Ford Motor Indonesia, said that this year the company’s sales had increased and as of August sales had been recorded at 3,600 vehicles, including 938 Escapes, 1,238 Everests, 518 Focuses and 428 Rangers. “In total, Ford’s sales in 2007 have increased 56 percent from 2006,” he said.

Although 2006 was not a very bright year for Ford in terms of local sales, Angove is optimistic that the situation will turn for the better.

Data at the Association of Indonesian Automobile Manufacturers (Gaikindo) say car sales in Indonesia reached 300,000 vehicles last year, but by the middle of 2007 car sales had surpassed 320,000 units. It is predicted that the number will reach 410,000 vehicles by the end of the year. “Next year car sales will likely reach 500,000 units, just like in 2005,” Angove said.

Indeed, competition is getting tougher among premium car brands. To fight in this segment Ford relies on a number of strategic factors: products are designed for the Asia Pacific market, especially Indonesia; a wide sales network comprising 26 stores; resale value; as well as highly skilled and comprehensive principal dealer manpower, from sales force to mechanics.

Apart from marketing its luxury brands, Ford is full of optimism about its preparations to enter another lucrative segment next year — small cars. Funds are being made available for the Ford Kuga and Ford Verve, which are manufactured in Thailand.

Equally optimistic about business is Astra International president director Michael D. Ruslim. He was predicting two years ago that the automotive industry would experience a revival in 2008. The improvement, he said, was in line with the development of infrastructure that would boost investment in Indonesia. Should people’s purchasing power be still low in 2007, then 2008 would be a recovery year.

However, Toyota still remains the market leader in Indonesia. In the middle of 2007, Toyota enjoyed a market share of 33.7 percent with sales of 12,927 vehicles comprising Kijang Innova, Avanza and Camry.

A survey conducted this year by an international organization, J.D. Power Asia Pacific, indicated that Toyota was top of the Customer Satisfaction Index (CSI) as the best brand selected by customers. “We are optimistic that domestic car sales will keep growing as the macro economy has become more stable, and it is home-coming time at Lebaran, so car sales will pick up by between 10 and 20 percent,” said Johnny Darmawan, president director of PT Toyota Astra Motor.

His confidence seems well founded, because the Islamic New Year or Lebaran is often a time to buy new things, from new clothes to new cars. So, a car seems to be another logical item on the shopping list. Domestic car sales have always increased during Lebaran.

Returning to hometowns has been a tradition in this country for decades. Although airfares have become cheaper, many people still prefer to travel by car with their family members. Of course, cars that suit such trips have spacious cabins and luggage space to enable passengers to carry gifts for their relatives and neighbors in their hometowns.

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