Indonesia’s Honda Brio to be exported to Philippines, Vietnam

Journalists check out a low-cost green car (LCGC), the Honda Brio Satya, at a recent exhibition. (The Jakarta Post/R. Bertho Wedhatama)

JAKARTA, Indonesia — Honda sole agent in Indonesia PT Honda Prospect Motor (HPM) kicked off Tuesday the production of the export-oriented All New Honda Brio cars at its factory in Karawang, West Java.

Speaking at the event, Trade Minister Airlangga Hartarto praised HPM’s effort to increase the exports of its products, including the  All New Brio cars.

“The maiden export of the All New Brio in 2019 is planned to the Philippines and Vietnam with a total export value of Rp 1 trillion (US$70.54 million),” said Airlangga as quoted by Antara, adding that the local content of the All New Bio was 89 percent.

Airlangga said HPM had exported 11 models of completely knocked-down (CKD) car since 2013 to 12 countries in Asia and America. Total exports up to 2018 were recorded at Rp 12 trillion and targeted to reach Rp 25.5 trillion in 2021. HPM had so far produced some 1.3 million vehicles.

Currently, the company has two manufacturing factories that can produce 200,000 cars annually and employ about 6,900 people. This year, the company plans to invest about Rp 4.2 trillion.

HPM had also reportedly exported the completely built-up (CBU) Honda Freed, which was also produced at the Karawang factory between 2011 to 2014, to Thailand and Malaysia.

Airlangga said the Trade Ministry supported HPM’s ambition to export 1.5 million cars by 2020.

Honda Motor’s chief operating officer for Asia and Oceania Masayuki Igarashi said Indonesia was an important market for Honda Motor.

He said the company had a strong commitment to improving facilities to support the development of various models to fulfill the market demand in the country. (bbn) /ee