JOIN USTata Motors on Tuesday announced its foray into Indonesia, the largest automobile market in the ASEAN, through its wholly owned Jakarta-based subsidiary, PT Tata Motors Indonesia for both passenger and commercial vehicles.
The company will begin to launch its products in 2013, for which extensive preparations are now on, said an official release. Indonesia is a key market for Tata Motors, which has a wide range of products from small cars to buses in passenger vehicles and from 0.5T mini-trucks to 49T heavy trucks in commercial vehicles.
Speaking in Jakarta, Tata Motors’ Executive Director Ravi Pisharody said, “Our portfolio is globally benchmarked...confident that our vehicles will be a smart choice for the discerning customers of Indonesia..., we will progressively introduce relevant passenger and commercial vehicles, backed by appropriate distribution and service infrastructure such that we are closest to our customers.”
Elaborating on the plans, PT Tata Motors Indonesia President Director Biswadev Sengupta said, “Our research is showing there is a large opportunity for Tata vehicles in Indonesia, with operating conditions and customer needs being very similar to those in India. We are very confident of providing smart mobility solutions. At present, our focus is in creating a very robust service and spares support network.”
By the time of the launch, PT Tata Motors Indonesia will have about 10 to 15 dealers nationwide, offering sales, service and spare parts, he said. Over a period of three years, the company will set up a country-wide network of about 60 full-service dealers, about 100 other workshops and about 300 more spare parts retailers.
It is also evaluating options for setting up a manufacturing base in Indonesia to serve the country and the ASEAN region. Significant investments will also be planned for component localisation.
Tata Motors is participating in the 20th Indonesia International Motor Show, starting in Jakarta on September 20 and will display 14 Tata passenger and commercial vehicles considered for introduction in Indonesia progressively.