General Motors Indonesia Unveils Subaru Models

General Motors Indonesia Unveils Subaru Models

SUBARU IMPREZA WRX and SUBARU FORESTER will be displayed at Gaikindo Auto Expo

Jakarta-PT - General Motors Indonesia (GM Indonesia) today unveiled the Subaru Impreza WRX and the Subaru Forester. Subaru is the newest brand to join GM Autoworld's line-up that currently includes Opel and Chevrolet models.

The strategic alliance between GM Corporation (GM Corp.) and Fuji Heavy Industries (FHI) was formed last year when GM Corp. took a 20% equity stake in FHI worth US$ 1.4 billion. This alliance enables GM Indonesia to provide a cost-effective distribution network quickly to FHI for the first two Subaru models.

"GM has a long history of alliances and in Asia, our strategic alliances with Isuzu, Suzuki and FHI are of primary importance in helping General Motors succeed in the region. We have been working with our alliance partners to develop synergies and collaborations that have resulted in significant benefits for all of us," said Geoff Bedford, Director, Sales Operations, General Motors Asia Pacific.

Subaru's unique features in the area of technology are the "Subaru AWD (All Wheel Drive) System" which comprised of the horizontally opposed engine and the symmetrically laid out power-train. Subaru's concept of "Active Driving, Active Safety" has translated into vehicles that are a pleasure to drive, easy to use, and of unrivaled safety.

"The Impreza and the Forester, we believe, will be very attractive to the Indonesian market because of their purposes and capabilities offered with the pleasure-to-drive experience and highest level of safety," said Eiichi Matsumoto, the General Manager for Asia Pacific Sales & Marketing Dept., Subaru Sales & Marketing Division.

The Impreza WRX is a sporty sedan, designed for driver-oriented performance. It has a turbocharged 2.0 litre horizontally opposed 16-valve DOHC engine, boasting a maximum power output of 160 kw at 5,600 rpm. The World Rally Championship events, where Impreza won the manufacturer titles in 1995, 1996 and 1997, were used as the Impreza's proving ground for its outstanding engine performance and body rigidity.

"The Impreza WRX will appeal to the most discriminating sports car enthusiast. It is pure sport, pure rally. Even when it is standing still, it looks like it is ready to go, but when you drive it, you realize that the Impreza WRX is no toy, it is a racing machine," according to Kris Mayer, GM Indonesia's Director of Sales & Marketing.

The other Subaru vehicle, the Forester, combines the advantages of a passenger car with those of an SUV. Subaru's "The Best of Both" offers the high-speed driving performance, handling stability and riding comfort of a passenger car, as well as the rough-road capability, outstanding field view and high all-around utility of an SUV. The Forester is powered by a 2.0 litre, horizontally opposed 4-cylinder 16-valve DOHC engine. It uses a 5-gear manual transmission.

The two Subaru models are already available for sales order, with the current price Rp 410.840.000,- off the road for the Impreza WRX, and Rp. 261.920.000,- off the road for the Forester.

The production of these two models for Indonesia has been scheduled and the first shipment will arrive soon in September 2001 at selected GM AutoWorld dealers such as Tunas AutoWorld, Hangtuah, and Impreza Motor. These three dealers provide facilities such as showroom, workshop and spare parts. Subaru owners are covered with two-year unlimited kilometers parts warranty and two year/30.000 km free services.

GM Indonesia, a wholly owned subsidiary of General Motors Corporation since 1997, currently assembles and markets the successful Opel Blazer series of vehicles (the LT, DOHC, LS, LV, Montera and LN) and markets Chevrolet Blazer V6 4x4, Chevrolet Zafira and Subaru models.

GM Indonesia currently supports a dealer network of 43 showrooms and 49 workshops in Sumatra, Java, Kalimantan, Sulawesi and Bali.

GM Indonesia's 12-hectare facility in Pondok Ungu, Bekasi, contains a modern assembly, testing, paint-shop and parts distribution center. GM Indonesia has been ISO-9002 certified since March 1998.