On 12 October 2014, Indonesia Investments released the latest edition of its newsletter. This free newsletter, which is sent to our subscribers once per week, contains the most important news stories from Indonesia that have been reported on our website in the last seven days. Most of the topics involve economic topics such an outlook for GDP growth, the benchmark interest rate, the equity market, car sales, the coffee industry, the Giant Sea Wall Jakarta, and more.

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Although domestic car sales in Indonesia have again exceeded the psychological level of 100,000 vehicles per month, sales have fallen 12 percent year-on-year (y/y) to 101,801 units in September 2014. In September last year, car sales were heavily supported by the newly-introduced low cost green car (LCGC). Domestic car sales constitute an important indicator to measure consumer confidence and domestic consumption. Domestic consumption accounts for 55 percent of total economic growth in Indonesia.

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Indonesian car sales, an important indicator to measure consumer confidence and domestic consumption, surged 24.1 percent (year-on-year) to 96,728 vehicles in August 2014. However, this growth pace is heavily influenced by public holidays and thus does not signal a marked improvement in Indonesian consumer confidence. In August last year, Indonesian car sales fell because of the limited amount of working days amid the Lebaran holiday (Idul Fitri), causing reduced production and distribution of cars and motorcycles.

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Exports of Indonesian-made cars and motorcycles are expected to grow sharply in 2014 and 2015, although coming from a low base and rather insignificant compared to domestic sales. These rising export figures are made possible by enhanced domestic production capacity. Indonesian exports of motorcycles are expected to rise 122 percent to 60,000 units in 2014, while exports of cars are expected to rise 93 percent to 386,000 units in 2015. Although there is still a long road to go, Indonesia is increasing its status in these industries.

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Car sales in Indonesia fell 17 percent (month-on-month) in July 2014 to 91 thousand vehicles, while motorcycle sales plunged 28 percent to 539,171 over the same period. The main reason for this sharp decline is the limited number of working days in July due to the Lebaran holiday (also known as Idul Fitri and which marks the end of the Islamic fasting month of Ramadan). As a consequence of this public holiday, production of cars and motorcycles declined, and less cars and motorcycles could be distributed to Indonesian dealers (wholesalers).

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On 13 July 2014, Indonesia Investments released the latest edition of its newsletter. This free newsletter, which is sent to our subscribers once per week, contains the most important news stories from Indonesia that have been reported on our website in the last seven days. Most of the topics involve political and economic topics such as the presidential election, an analysis of the interest rate environment, car sales, IPOs on the Indonesia Stock Exchange, a tender announcement, and more.

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According to data from the Indonesian Automotive Industry Association (Gaikindo), domestic car sales in Indonesia rose 13 percent to 109,706 car units in June 2014 from the previous month (97,147 vehicles) as people increased car purchases ahead of the Idul Fitri (Lebaran) festivities, which commence after the holy fasting month of Ramadan has ended on 28 July. Idul Fitri involves the exodus of millions of Indonesians from the cities to their places of origin. Ahead of this celebration, car sales always increase.

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Indonesian car exports may reach 310,000 vehicles in 2014, a 12.72 percentage point growth from last year (275,000 vehicles). Exports of completely built up (CBU) units are expected to number 200,000 while completely knocked down (CKD) units are estimated to reach 110,000 units by the year-end. Indonesian Industry Minister MS Hidayat confirmed that the automotive industry of Indonesia has shown good performance. Currently, Indonesian automotive products are exported to a total of 80 countries.

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On 15 June 2014, Indonesia Investments released the latest edition of its newsletter. This free newsletter, which is sent to our subscribers once per week, contains the most important news stories from Indonesia that have been reported on our website in the last seven days. Most of the topics involve economic topics such as the central bank’s benchmark interest rate policy, car sales, foreign investment, a rupiah exchange rate update, the latest news concerning the presidential elections of 2014, and more.

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Apart from the traditional earnings originating from the export of coal, crude palm oil (CPO) as well as income from the tourism sector, Indonesia aims to increase foreign exchange earnings through boosting exports of cars and automotive parts. The Indonesian Trade Ministry said that it expects the value of exported cars and components to rise to USD $4.8 billion in 2014, a 10 percentage point growth from the USD $4.4 billion worth of earnings recorded in 2013 as Indonesian car producers have been boosting sales abroad.

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Car sales in Indonesia are expected to exceed the target set by the Indonesian Automotive Industry Association (Gaikindo) in 2013. The institution originally set a target of 1.1 million sold car vehicles in 2013, which is similar to the sales result in 2012. However, in September 2013 car sales recorded a new monthly record (115,921 sold units) after consumers sped up car sales as prices will increase in October. Up to the third quarter of 2013, total car sales have increased 11.2 percent compared to the same period last year.

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In recent years, Indonesia's car sales have shown robust growth, culminating in a record high number of 1.12 million sold car units in 2012. This is an important statistic because car sales inform us about the state of the economy. Generally, rising car sales indicate an expanding economy while declining car sales indicate that the economy is slowing down. When we take a look at the table below, there is a link visible between Indonesia's GDP growth and rising car sales, except for 2011 to 2012 when GDP growth declined while car sales rose.

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Indonesian car sales in the first four months of 2013 continued its robust growth. Preliminary data from Agen Pemegang Merek (Brand Holder Agent or APM) indicates that from January to April of 2013 397,991 car units were sold in Indonesia, which constitutes a 17.75 percent increase compared to the first four months of 2012. Toyota retained its position as market leader with a market share of 35.9 percent. However, sales of Honda and Suzuki vehicles are growing fast in Indonesia.

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Astra International, Indonesia's largest listed company by market capitalization, presented its Q1-2013 financial results yesterday. The company, which represents the dominating force in Indonesia's automotive sector, posted a seven percent fall in net earnings (YoY) to IDR 4,310 trillion (USD $444.3 million) amid Indonesia's rising labour costs, weak commodity prices, increased competition in the country's car sector and effects of new minimum down-payment regulations in automotive Shariah-financing.

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The heavily subsidized fuel price of Indonesia is likely to be raised next month according to Indonesian media sources. Various high officials, including Economic minister Hatta Rajasa, discussed the possibility to raise the fuel price from IDR 4,500 (USD $0.46) to IDR 6,500 (USD $0.67) per liter starting from May. This increase will only apply to private passenger cars, and not to motorcycles and public transportation. However, president Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono has not made up his mind yet.

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Indonesia's central government hopes that local governments team up with the private sector to develop the country's infrastructure. President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono said that there are two ways through which local governments can stimulate its infrastructure development: cut expenses on other fields and use it on infrastructure development instead, or, invite the private sector to participate in public-private partnerships (PPPs).

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