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On the Road to Producing a National Car for Indonesia
Hangga Brata | January 06, 2012

The pickup and SUV models of the Kiat Esemka made by vocational school students sit at Solo Techno Park in Solo. The school hopes to mass produce the cars. (JG Photo/Ali Lutfi) The pickup and SUV models of the Kiat Esemka made by vocational school students sit at Solo Techno Park in Solo. The school hopes to mass produce the cars. (JG Photo/Ali Lutfi)
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Roland
12:00pm Jan 7, 2012

The international trend is for sure smaller, more fuel efficient cars, probably even with a diesel engine alternative (something which is in Indonesia simply not available).

I see two major obstacles in implementing small cars here - one is the terrible road condition as soon one leaves the urban areas which needs basically SUV's to ride them and another one is the low resale value of small cars after a couple of years, simply due to the lack of market demand.

Now, in regards of these cars made in Solo - I think it's a great thing these students did but one should not forget that it is not a car designed from scratch (which would cost millions $) but basically just a puzzle of various car models fixed and modified to fit together.

For me a major focus point when buying a car is passenger safety (especially here in Indonesia looking at all these "Mad Max" drivers) and and efficiency - not so much the looks of a car. But I realize also that the general Indonesian market thinks different.

marko1
8:41am Jan 7, 2012

There used to be 2 local cars, Timor and bimantara

Serigala-Berbulu-Domba
6:24am Jan 7, 2012

The reality is that in all likelihood these vehicles won't enter into mass production given the attendant difficulties encountered world wide in commercializing projects involving start up automobile manufacturing operations. Competition in this sector is extremely tough and small scale manufacture of these type of vehicles is simply not viable.

wongjowo
11:14pm Jan 6, 2012

Wouldn't it be smarter to build a lighter, more fuel efficient car with a lower price tag, say 5000USD. Espcially in the wake of higher fuel prices. Or perhaps a family car such as a Toyota Avanza or Innova?

I think the American style SUV had its longest time.

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Solo. It’s been a long road, but the students at Solo’s SMK 2 and SMK 5 have succeeded in building a car that has thrust them into the spotlight and could herald a bright future for the country’s automotive industry.

On Monday, Solo Mayor Joko Widodo took the 1,500 cc Kiat Esemka Rajawali for a test drive on the streets of the city, much to the delight of the students and teachers involved in the project.

SMK 2 headmaster Susanta said the car tested by Joko, more popularly known as Jokowi, was a 105 horsepower, four-cylinder sport utility vehicle. The other model produced is the Bima pickup truck. “The car is powered by a modified Kia engine,” he said.

Susanta also pointed out that the vehicles were not the school’s first foray into high-tech manufacturing as it had previously successfully launched a laptop computer.

“We gave the students a lot of room for improvisation and creativity during the project,” he said. “What sets us apart from other vocational schools is that communication between the students and faculty is very open and we went out and got local companies involved in the project.”

The car’s name is the Indonesian pronunciation of SMK, the abbreviation for vocational high school.

SMK 2 teacher Budi Martono added that 80 percent of the parts used in the car were sourced or produced locally, including the chassis and interior. He dismissed criticism that the car was a clone of existing models.

“The design of the car was a collaborative effort,” he said. “We created a form and design we felt would be interesting.”

The firm behind the Esemka Rajawali brand, Solo Manufaktur Kreasi, says the SUV model will sell for around Rp 95 million ($10,500), while the pickup will have a Rp 75 million price tag.

School officials have stated that their long-term goal is to mass produce the cars.

“We’re prepared to begin mass production, but there are requirements that we have to meet, including emissions controls,” Budi said. “Our students will be with us and involved throughout the process. It will be part of their learning process, which we don’t want to limit to the classroom.”

He admitted, however, that the project faced many hurdles, including production management and quality control.

“We need people who can manage these things,” Budi said. “We won’t be able to compete in the market without this and without substantial financial backing.”

The project has not been without its doubters and critics.

Some have disputed the claims that 80 percent of the car’s components were locally sourced, as key components such as the electronics, fuel injection system, valves, piston rings, dashboard and wipers were manufactured in South Korea, Japan and China.

There have also been concerns that the students involved in the project are being used as assembly-line workers and not as key members of the project.

Hundreds of potential buyers are already lining up to drive away with a brand new Esemka, but the car has to pass several tests before it can hit the streets.

Herawati, a Solo resident who came to the school to ask about buying a car, said the big draw was the relatively low price.

“I don’t know about the quality of the ride, but from the sound of the engine, it seems smooth enough,” she said.

Toto Noer Witjaksono from the Transportation Ministry said the Agency for the Assessment and Application of Technology (BPPT) would run emissions and other tests on the car. The Esemka has passed tests on its lights and brakes.

Jokowi and his deputy, F.X. Hady Rudyatmo, began to use the cars as their official vehicles, but they have since returned them pending the emission tests. They have revert to their government-issued Toyota sedans.

There is a clear sentiment that the Esemka could spell a resurgence in the national automotive industry and officials have high hopes for the vehicles.

Education and Culture Minister Muhammad Nuh said he expected the Kiat Esemka to be produced commercially by the start of next year at the latest.

“We should be able to clear all required tests with time to spare,” he said on Thursday.

Nuh added that once allowed onto the streets, he would present one to President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono as a gift and said once they were in production, he would use one as his own official vehicle.

Additional reporting by Arientha Primanita