"Indonesia has been our main priority. Among the developing countries Indonesia has been positioned as a market growth leader and our hope is big," Toyota Motor Corporation president director Akio Toyoda said at a press conference here on Tuesday.
The third generation of Toyoda family said Indonesia has contributed a lot to TMC especially at the time of automotive market slump in the US and Europe.
"We have been vigor and energy (by the automotive market growth in Indonesia). This is a huge contribution," he said.
In view of that he said he would develop cars that match with road conditions in the country. The cars would go beyond customers` and the world`s expectations, he said.
With regard to Toyota car production in Indonesia he said it would not only be aimed at domestic but also export markets, he said.
The president director of PT Toyota Motor Manufacturing Indonesia (TMMIN), Masahiro Nonami, meanwhile said the company plans to build a second plant in Karawang, West Java, with a capacity of 70,000 cars a year, which is expected to be finished in 2013.
"Combined with present TMMIN capacity reaching 110,000 cars a year total production capacity in 2013 would reach 180,000 cars a year," he said.
To develop the second plant the company would invest Rp2.9 trillion, he said. "We will continue increasing local contents and develop human resources," he said.
He estimated the new plant would create new jobs for around 15,000 people including the chain effects of parts industry development and sales network.
Toyota at present is the market leader in Indonesia controlling 15 percent market share.
The President Director of PT Toyota Astra Motor (TAM), Johny Darmawan, said the production capacity could still be increased by 20 to 25 percent through overtime work. "The 180,000 capacity is under normal conditions. It may be higher if overtime work is carried out," he said.
The chief of the ATM which is also the sole distributor of Toyota said TMC`s planned investment in Indonesia has been seriously considered based upon the country`s domestic market growth which is very high.
"The market is huge in terms of its potential. Our market is bigger than Thailand`s because the Indonesian population is larger," he said.
Therefore he hoped infrastructure in Indonesia could be continuously improved so that Toyota`s investment would continue to increase.
Johnny said Akio Toyoda visited Indonesia in connection with the 40th anniversary of Toyota`s presence in the country. During the visit he also met with President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and Vice President Boediono. (T.R016/H-YH/H-NG/F001)
Editor: Priyambodo RH
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