Daihatsu, a popular car brand in Japan, has found success in its sales with the Kei car model. Kei cars are known for their small engine capacity, compact design, practicality, and accommodation. However, the question remains: when will Kei cars be sold in Indonesia?
In Indonesia, Daihatsu’s car sales are dominated by 7-passenger vehicles such as the Calya or Xenia. On the other hand, in Japan, Daihatsu’s compact car models like Tanto, Canbus, and Copen are selling like hotcakes.
Sri Agung Handayani, the Director of Marketing and Planning & Communication at Astra Daihatsu Motor (ADM), stated that Daihatsu currently has no plans to market Kei cars in Indonesia. Although ADM has showcased the Kei car Tanto at automotive exhibitions in Indonesia, it was merely for display purposes.
“Until now, we haven’t marketed Kei cars in Indonesia. In Japan, the average engine capacity for Kei cars is 660 cc, while in Indonesia, the lowest capacity is 1,000 cc. So, the first thing we need to consider is the engine capacity,” Sri Agung explained to reporters in Tokyo on Tuesday (24/10/2023).
Looking at Daihatsu’s lineup in Indonesia, the majority of vehicles sold are city cars and SUVs such as Ayla, Calya, Xenia, Rush, and Rocky. There is also one commercial vehicle, the Gran Max.
Daihatsu Indonesia did previously import the Kei car Copen, but it was not well-received by the Indonesian market. Since its launch in Indonesia in 2015 until 2018, only 19 units of the Copen were sold. Therefore, in terms of the industry, Daihatsu’s Kei car sales in Indonesia have not reached a significant market volume.
It remains to be seen if and when Daihatsu will introduce Kei cars to the Indonesian market. For now, Indonesian car enthusiasts will have to wait patiently for the potential arrival of these compact and practical vehicles.
Watch the video “Daihatsu Showcases the Future Successor of Gran Max Named Vizion-F” for more information.
(lua/lth)
What factors contribute to Kei cars becoming synonymous with efficiency and practicality in the Japanese automotive market
Daihatsu, a renowned car manufacturer in Japan, has achieved significant sales success by capitalizing on its Kei car model. Kei cars, distinguished for their petite engine capacity, have become synonymous with efficiency and practicality in the Japanese automotive market.
I’m not sure, but I hope it will be soon! Daihatsu Kei cars are known for their compact size and fuel efficiency, which would be perfect for navigating Indonesia’s crowded streets.
I’ve heard they are planning to introduce Daihatsu Kei cars in Indonesia in the next year or two. Can’t wait to see these affordable and eco-friendly vehicles on our roads!