Indo Vehicles

Toyota Camry whose name derived from Japanese word Kanmuri which means Crown was introduced to Japanese market as Toyota Celica Camry in 1980. In some markets Toyota Camry is categorized as mid-size sedan. However, in some markets including Indonesia Toyota Camry is categorized as luxury sedan or executive cars. It’s probably has to do with the fact that when Toyota Camry enters these markets, its already reposition itself as luxury vehicles.

As well as in the US, this car sold very well in some markets including Indonesia but not so much in Europe and Japan. In Europe this probably has to do with a lot more established competitor in the mid-size class such as Mercedes Benz E Class and BMW 5 series. In Japan its probably this car is too big for dynamic Japanese taste.

In the beginning in 1983, Toyota Camry were equipped with 1.6 and 1.8 liter engine. This engine was then increased for the second generation in 1987 into 1.8 liter and 2.4 liter engine both with 4 cylinder model. This model was very popular in the US. In 1988 the 2.5 liter V6 engine was also introduced and was the only model imported directly from Japan while the rest were manufactured in Georgetown, Kentucky, US. In 1989 the 1.8 liter engine ceased production because it was considered underpowered for mid-size sedan category.

The third generation of Toyota Camry in 1992 can be considered as Toyota first step into the luxury cars arena to replace the aging and pricey Toyota Cressida. Toyota also separate its luxury cars Lexus division whose design was also inspired by Toyota Cressida.

In 1997 the fourth generation of Toyota Camry was launched in Japan. This model then enters Indonesian market officially in 1999 even though general importers has sold this cars in Indonesia previously as built up cars as well as through embassy line (Form B for ex foreign diplomat cars). This model sold very well in the US. In contrast with Indonesian market. Cars dealership in Indonesia calls it the Cat’s eyes model. It’s primarily because of its very small tail light which doesn’t fit its big body. In addition, the biggest competitor at that time was more powerful Mitsubishi Galant, the shark model, and the more luxurious Accord Cielo. It is estimated that Toyota Camry was able to get only 10 percent of Indonesian luxury cars at that time.

In 2002 the fifth generation appear with bigger and more spacious body. Available in 2.4 and 3.0 liter V6 engine with the later cost more than half a billion Rups. It seems that Toyota Camry not just trying to take away market share from Japanese cars such as Honda Accord and Nissan Teana (Mitsubishi Galant was no longer produced), but also trying to conquer the European luxury cars market for cars like BMW and Mercedes Benz.

In 2007 the sixth generation of Toyota Camry was introduced equipped with new body design similar to what then applied to Toyota Vios and Toyota Corolla Altis. This generation is more powerful and more fuel efficient because of total body redesign to achieve maximum aerodynamicists in line with Toyota aim to create more efficient and greener vehicles. The American Consumer Report however, decreases Toyota Camry reliability rating for this model surpassed by Ford Mercury. This probably has to do more with Ford Mercury improvement than with Toyota Camry’s quality decrease.

Toyota Camry price in rups

Nissan X-Trail is the first SUV crossover produced by Nissan in 2001 by using the Nissan FF-S platform which is not available in Indonesia. Nissan X-Trail only enters the Indonesian market in 2003. Available at that time with two models which were Sport Touring (St) and Extra Touring (Xt) both had engine capacity of 2.5 liter. Based on official data released by Gaikindo 2004, Nissan X-Trail was awarded as the no 1 SUV in Indonesia.

Different than heavy duty designed Nissan Terrano, Nissan X-Trail was oriented more towards the City SUV type of driver. The other interesting facts is that Nissan X-Trail is actually categorized under Nissan Terrano or as known with its latest model as Nissan Pathfinder in European and the US markets.

After two years available in Indonesian market, Nissan X-Trail undergone minor face lifting as well as releasing three more variant which were 4×4, Stt and X-Trail 2.0 available in manual transmission only. These versions were produced in Indonesia except for the 4×4 which was still imported under CBU category.

And in line with Nissan tendency to stick to one model, it is predicted that Nissan X-Trail will be using this model for a couple more years. This will have an impact in term of spare parts price and availability for this model. This is one of the reasons why this particular Nissan model has a pretty good resale value in Indonesia compare to other models.

X Trail price in Rups

Honda Jazz is known as Honda Fit in Japan was introduced in 2001 there. This car is immediately popular amongst Japanese market and started to enter European and Australian markets in 2002. Honda Jazz only enters Indonesian market officially in the middle of 2004. This car previously enters Indonesian market via general importer using its original name, Honda Fit. This model also only enters the US and Canada market in 2006. Because of those distribution delays, unlike other Honda’s models, Honda Jazz has the longest model time.

Honda Jazz is an example of a successful compact car design because of its interesting model. Its design is not only easy on the eyes but also practical. The driving position and its handling are very natural.

As soon as its launch in Indonesian in 2004, the waiting list immediately becoming very long. Top Gear magazine award Honda Jazz as the second highest best car from 152 cars surveyed beaten only by Honda S2000 which is a lot more expensive. The survey awarded five stars (the highest) for Honda Jazz in term of reliability, craftsmanship and ownership cost.

Honda Jazz in Indonesia is available in two types of engines, i-DSI which is designed for fuel efficiency and VTEC which is introduced in 2005, designed more for performance. In 2006 Honda Jazz get facelift which includes minor design and some safety features.

Both type equipped with 1.5 liter engine and are available in manual and automatics transmission. The automatic version has CVT7 speed steermatic similar to triptonic transmission which are usually only available in high class Mercedes Benz.

In 2007 Honda CEO Takeo Fukui announced that the second generation of Honda Jazz will be released in 2007. This model is wider and longer than the current Honda Jazz. It also has front grill similar to the Honda Accord. However, if it anything like the previous models, this model will not enter Indonesian market until at least 2009 or even 2010.

Honda Jazz price in Rups