TEMPO.CO, Jakarta-Local dealerships who are partners of United States-based auto company PT Ford Motor Indonesia (FMI) are asking for Rp1 trillion in damages after the Ford brandholder shut its businesses in Indonesia.
FMI made a decision to shut its operations in Indonesia in January, which has hit local dealers hard.
Harry Ponto, the legal representative of six dealership groups across Indonesia, said that two legal notices have been filed on June 1 and June 13. If FMI fails to respond, the plaintiff will file a civil action lawsuit.
The six groups represent 31 Ford dealerships in Indonesia, which Harry said had invested more than Rp20 billion for their partnership with the US carmaker.
Harry also claimed that the dealers contributed 85% of Ford's sales in Indonesia since 2000. One group, Ford Nusantara, had even build the biggest dealership in Southeast Asia, he said.
FMI communications director Lea Kartika Indra said the company has not received the legal notices. "Therefore we cannot provide you with a statement yet," she told Tempo.
Lea did say that FMI will continue to involve local dealers in Ford's business activities until its last day in Indonesia. Ford plans to leave the country by the end of 2016.
DESTRIANITA KUSUMASTUTI