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AKARTA: Several foreign companies attending the recent Indonesia International Auto Parts, Accessories and Equipment Exhibition (INAPA) expressed interests in cooperating with the producer of the Esemka car, PT Solo Manufaktur Kreasi (SMK).

 “I am looking for Indonesian automotive companies to be asked to work together,” said Hantec Technology of South Korea development team assistant manager Simon Lee, when visiting the PT SMK booth.

Hantec Technology planned to establish engine-components manufacturing factories in Southeast Asian countries, such as Indonesia, one the largest automotive markets in Asia, Lee said, as reported by Antara news agency.

He also believes that Indonesian cars, such as Esemka, will thrive like Hyundai and KIA; both famous automotive brands from South Korea.

SMK director Sulistyo Rabono said that previously there was another Australian company designing machine-controlled systems that offered to cooperate with SMK.

The Esemka car was first developed by senior vocational high school students in Surakarta, Central Java. SMK plans to take over the development of a new car for commercial purposes.