"The growth must be appreciated as automotive industry is one of the biggest tax contributors," Johnny Darmawan said.Jakarta (ANTARA News) - Indonesia`s exports of completely built-up cars in the January - July period this year rose 67.2 percent to 107,932 units from the same period last year.
One of the associate chairmen of the Association of Indonesian Auto Industries (Gaikindo), Johnny Darmawan, said at the opening of the 20th Indonesia International Motor Show here on Friday exports of completely knocked-down cars were also up 31 percent to 61,095 units in the period.
"The growth must be appreciated as automotive industry is one of the biggest tax contributors," he said.
Until July he said car production in Indonesia was up 33.5 percent compared to that of the same period last year while car sales rose 25.9 percent to 637,000 units.
"It all goes well the volume of domestic sales are expected to reach one million this year," he said.
Last year Indonesia was the biggest car market among six ASEAN members with sales reaching 894,000 units or 34.7 percent of the market share.
"We believe Indonesia would continue to be the biggest car market in Southeast Asia soon," he said.
In view of that he hoped there would be breakthroughs in policy from the government to increase competitiveness and accelerate the development of automotive industry in the country.
Indonesia is currently competing with Thailand and Malaysia for becoming the biggest car market and production bases of world automotive makers.
"Five automotive industries that have become members of Gaikindo have started expanding their plants to make Indonesia their regional production base," he said. (*)
Editor: Heru Purwanto
Copyright © ANTARA 2012
