Wednesday, June 24, 2009

Speedy, Big For the Fast And Furious

Car and motorbike buffs will be flocking to the Jakarta International Expo in Kemayoran, North Jakarta, next month to catch the world’s latest automotive offerings at this year’s Indonesia International Motor Show.

For the 17th time, enthusiasts will be able to have a look at selections from carmakers ranging from Asia’s Toyota, Honda and Hyundai to Europe’s Mercedes Benz, BMW and Jaguar. This year, 21 carmakers are participating.

Those who are keen on sports cars will be seduced by the Italian models that Maserati, Ferrari and Lamborghini have put out, as well as the luxurious British drives from Aston Martin and Bentley.

Ichwan Sofyan of Dyandra, the organizer of the event, said that this year’s exhibition would be somewhat different from previous years. “There will be an unprecedented numbers of cars … We have exotic cars, adventure cars, vintage cars and dream cars.”

Among the cars in this year’s exhibition that deserve extra attention, Ichwan said, is the Arina, an all-Indonesian micro-car, produced by a group of engineering students in Semarang, Central Java.

“They have already shown the prototype to the public,” Ichwan said. “But for the show, Arina will display its latest model, which has not yet been revealed to anyone.”

Chinese carmaker Foton will for the first time bring its models to Indonesia. “I saw the pictures of their products. They look very sophisticated,” Ichwan said.

Malaysia’s MPV Proton Exora, which according to Ichwan has never been shown outside the country, will also make its way to the show. “I have been told that the Proton Exora is an MPV made especially for Indonesia,” he said.

Ichwan said that the participation of carmakers from China and Malaysia showed the promising growth of Asia’s motor industry, which thus far has largely relied on Japan and Korea.

In terms of Western-made vehicles, Ichwan said that the Hummer H1 Limousine, the nine-meter version of the civilian Humvee, would be a highlight.

Ichwan doubts the global economic downturn will affect attendance or sales.

“We are optimistic that we will reach our sales target of Rp 1.7 trillion [$163 million],” he said. “Earlier this year, car sales dropped significantly, but we’ve seen a promising increase in the last few months.”

The first Indonesia International Motor Show took place in 1986 under the name of the Gaikindo Cars Exhibition. It went on hiatus due to financial issues in 1991 and 1992, and then took a break the three years following the 1997-98 Asian financial crisis.

In 2006, the show was endorsed by the International Organization of Motor Vehicle Manufacturers and was classified as an international motoring exhibition.

Last year, more than 200,000 car lovers attended the show, and it was reported that Rp 1.7 trillion worth of transactions took place during the nine-day event. The annual motoring expo will also bring together those who have a common love for automotive sound systems through the Car Audio Show as part of the event.

A number of car audio contests will be held throughout the exhibition, with categories including sound quality and sound pressure.

Visitors will be able to watch contests where professional drifters will demonstrate their ability to execute challenging maneuvers.

The motor show will also exhibit products for those who prefer two-wheelers: Japan’s Kawasaki, Italy’s Piaggio and the United States’ Harley-Davidson will exhibit some of their models.


The 17th Indonesia International Motor Show Highlights and Information
Jakarta International Expo, Kemayoran, Central Jakarta July 24 – Aug. 2

Classic Car Show
A display of antique and historical vehicles, such as presidential cars used by first Indonesian President Sukarno.

Unique & Exotic Cars
An exhibition of super cars in the ranks of Ferrari, Lamborghini and Aston Martin.

Achilles Drift Show & Battle
Daily, 5 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Driving exhibitions and contests with dance and DJ performances opening each drift show.

Car Audio Show
Daily, 4 p.m. to 5 p.m.
A combination of events that includes a demo of cars with modified audio systems, a variety of car audio competitions and daily DJ and Get Wet Dancer shows.

Motor Show Concerts
Daily from July 25, 7 p.m.
Bands to be featured at the nightly concerts include the Changcuters, Radja, Gigi, Andra and the Backbone, Seventeen, Padi, Dewa 19 and d’Masiv.

For more information on events and schedules, visit www.indonesianmotorshow.com.



Related articles City Official Named KPK Graft Suspect

11:54 PM 22/06/2009

Stylish Turn for Busway on Anniversary

11:53 PM 22/06/2009

City Govt Must Solve Crowds, Traffic

11:48 PM 22/06/2009

Prosecutors Take Look at New Order-Era Land Deal

11:08 PM 22/06/2009

Weight of Generations Rests on New Toyota Chief

6:20 PM 22/06/2009



Click

No comments:

Post a Comment