Indonesian car exports rebound to pre-crisis level

Indonesia’s car exports in 2010 are expected to return to a pre-crisis level on the rebounding global economy, national news agency Antara quoted an Industry Ministry official as saying.

Car exports in January and February 2010 rose compared to the same period last year, the ministry’s director of land transportation and aviation equipment industries, Panggah Susanto said here on Saturday.

"I do not yet know the fundamental cause of the car export hike. But I think it was influenced by the improving global economy," he said.

Data from the Industry Ministry show completely-built up (CBU) and completely knocked down (CKD) car exports in January 2010 stood at 5,404 units and 5,079 units respectively.

In 2008 CBU and CKD car exports reached 100,982 units and 103,710 units each. In the first eleven months of 2009 CBU and CKD car exports were respectively recorded at 50,008 units and 48,978 units.

Grup Indomobil President Director Gunadi Sindhuwinata meanwhile predicted car exports in 2010 would increase up to 20 percent.

"Our car exports in 2010 are expected to increase 70 percent from 2008`s and 20 percent from 2009’s," he said.

He said a drop in car exports in the past couple of years was the result of the global economic slowdown leading to low demand.

He noted that the export market for Indonesian cars was growing at a slow pace as most of export destinations of Indonesian cars were poor countries.

Reach Southeast Asia! 10- Nations, 560- Million Consumers And $1-Trillion Market We are the Voice of Southeast Asia  Media Kit The only Media Dedicated to Southeast Asia Advertising Rates for Magazine   Online Ad Rates Contact: marketing@aseanaffairs.com