India's largest auto company, Tata Motors, officially announced its foray into Indonesia, which happens to be the biggest auto market in ASEAN. The company has established a completely owned subsidiary in Jakarta, PT Tata Motors Indonesia, which will enable it to mark its presence in commercial and passenger vehicle segment of the country.
Indonesia is said to be a major region to trade for Tata Motors, which is flooded with a wide range of vehicles, right from small cars to buses passenger vehicle segment and from 0.5T mini-trucks to 49T heavy trucks in Commercial Vehicle (CV) segment. As per the company officials, Tata Motors will start delivering its vehicles in Indonesia from 2013 and thus, it is engaged in preparing aggressive plans and strategies for the new market.
Speaking on the development, Executive Director (Commercial Vehicles) of Tata Motors, Ravi Pisharody, said, “Our portfolio is globally benchmarked. We are confident that our vehicles will be a smart choice for the discerning customers of Indonesia. Based on customer feedback, we will progressively introduce relevant passenger and commercial vehicles, backed by appropriate distribution and service infrastructure such that we are closest to our customers.”
Expressing views on the new plan, Biswadev Sengupta, President Director, PT Tata Motors Indonesia, commented, “Our research is showing that 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.”
Reportedly, the Jakarta-based facility of Tata Motors will operate around 10 to 15 official dealerships of the company. Three years down the line, the auto maker will establish a nationwide network of around 60 full-service facilities with over 300 spare parts vendors and around 100 workshops.
Besides, establishment of a production base in Indonesia is on the cards of Tata Motors, through which the company will meet the demands of Indonesia and ASEAN markets.
Tata Motors will also participate in the 20th Indonesia International Motor Show, which is scheduled to kick off from September 20 in Jakarta, wherein it will showcase 14 passenger and commercial vehicles that will be later introduced in the country. The demand for CNG vehicles is rapidly increasing in Indonesia and thus, the display area will also comprise an exclusive green pavilion constituting Tata's CNG vehicles.
