We Must Follow The Development of Global Automotive Industry
President Jokowi tries a car at the 26th Gaikindo Indonesia Internasional Auto Show (GIIAS), at ICE BSD, Tangerang, Banten, Thursday (2/8). (Photo: PR/Agung)
President Joko Jokowi Widodo asserted that among all industrial sectors, automotive is among other sectors that are able to penetrate global markets.
Production chain, economic scale, and branding in this industry have met international standard. We indeed must notice the development of global automotive industry , President Jokowi said at the opening of the 26th Gaikindo Indonesia Internasional Auto Show (GIIAS), at ICE BSD, Tangerang, Banten, Thursday (2/8).
According to the President, to date, automotive sector deals with three challenges that must be put in our consideration. The first challenge is the development of electric vehicles, including those from Elon Musk and Tesla.
Several years ago, Tesla was considered rare and exotic car, but now given more and more countries adopt electic car technology, worldwide trends became clearer; people switch to electric cars, the President said.
The Government of France and the United Kingdom have announced that by 2040, non-electric cars will be banned to be sold in these two countries.
The Head of State added that the Government of China also declared their vision to be the leader of the development of electric car industry in the world. In fact, China is the biggest market for electric car.
The second challenge for global automotive industry is disruption of technology, for example autonomous vehicle or self-driving vehicle, and online taxi application including Gojek and Grab. With the existing of autonomous cars, we might have to redefine a car, the President said.
Generally speaking, many people think autonomous vehicle or self-driving vehicle can be used directly by consumers on public roads.
Probably, at the first phase, the President added, the autonomous vehicle will be used for transport cargo and delivery service. Please mind this kind of development, the President warned all.
Moreover, the President explained that a startup company from Los Angeles has produced an autonomous vehicle that serves as a shuttle for passengers such as minivans operating on campus within a limited zone by running a fixed route.
Do these vehicles still be termed as cars? Perhaps the automotive industry must expand its definition to cover such innovations. Not to mention the online transportation apps, President Jokowi said adding that currently cars have shifted from a product to service.
In the meantime, Minister of Industry Airlangga Hartarto mentioned that this is the first time for the President attending the biggest automotive exhibition in Indonesia and at the same time launched the rural multipurpose mechanical tool (AMMDes).
From production side, AMMDes is ready to be produced and its production can be increased from 3,000 to 15,000 units in one year and will start the operation at the beginning of January 2019, the Minister said.
According to Airlangga, permit for AMMDes is being processed at Ministry of Transportation and is expected to be completed by November 2018. Given AMMDes is a special vehicle, it has speed limit, but it can still be used on several conditions including on steep road in the villages, Airlangga said.
Also accompanying the President in the event were Cabinet Secretary Pramono Anung, Minister of Industry Airlangga Hartarto, and Minister of Villages, Disadvantaged Regions and Transmigration Eko Putro Sandjojo. (DND/EN) (RAS/MMB/Naster)
