Mercedes-Benz Indonesia Launches First Locally Assembled Car

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Mercedes-Benz Indonesia has launched a premium SUV Mercedes-Benz GL 350 CDI last December. The car becomes the first premium SUV Mercedes-Benz car assembled in Indonesia.

"We are confident on the premium SUV sale in Indonesia," Claus Wiedner, the President and Chief Officer of Mercedes-Benz Indonesia said to Tempo. Other than Indonesia, Mercedes has built assembly manufacture in India and United States.

"Since it first arrived in Indonesia in 1970, Mercedes-Benz possesses more than 50 percent of the market for premium segment," said Elvera N. Makki, the Deputy Director Corporate Communication and Public Affairs Mercedes-Benz Indonesia.

An automotive observer Suhari Sargo believes assembling the car parts domestically will become a good strategy to penetrate into Indonesian market. Suhari said the use of cars is different in different countries. "In Indonesia, cars are not only for prestige, but also for communal function. The competitors are only BMW and Volvo."

Auto Bild wrote the GL 350 CDI will come with sporty and tougher appearance since the car is featured with AMG Exterior Sports Package application and AMG 5 Twin Spoke Light alloy velg and 295/40 R21 wheels.

The Indonesian-assembled Benz is featuring diesel engine V6 2.987 cc with turbocharger and intercooler. The maximum power is 258 dk/3,600 rpm and the peak torque is 620 Nm/1.600-2.400 rpm. The GL 350 CDI class is also equipped with attention assist system that is able to detect sleepy driver according to steering wheel movement. The system will then remind the driver. The active parking assist and partronic will help the driver find ideal parallel parking spot and assisting during the parking process.

NURUL MAHMUDAH | MARIA YUNIAR | AUTO BILD | SETIAWAN ADIWIJAYA