MPV producers are outdoing each other in response to ever-increasing demand for wide-space four-wheel vehicles.

Families in Indonesia are known to opt for expediency. A couple who, before children came into the picture, preferred a sedan or even a city car to traverse the streets, may switch to a bigger vehicle to accommodate their growing family. A seven-seater answers many families'€™ needs for a more reliable mode of transportation. A vehicle with seven seats, known as a multi-purpose vehicle (MPV), satisfies the need for bigger space for children, and sometimes members of the extended family.

Dian Pertiwi, a dentist and mother of two from Jakarta, traded in her Suzuki Escudo for a Suzuki Ertiga, as she felt that her medium SUV could not meet her need for a more accommodating vehicle.

'€œPerformance wise, I actually liked the Escudo better. It is tougher. But there are more people in our family now,'€ she remarked.

The Ertiga is an MPV that Suzuki Indonesia unveiled in April 2012. The car soon created a buzz, garnering awards and selling well. Eight months after being introduced into the country, Suzuki had sold 31,001 units in the market, as reported on a Suzuki dealer'€™s blog.

As reported in swa.co.id, by April of this year, the total sales of the vehicle reached 110,000 units, putting the Ertiga in the top three of the best-selling MPVs in the country.

Ruling the sales

In Indonesia, MPVs are the biggest-selling four-wheel vehicles. There are no less than 15 types of MPV to choose from. They are usually divided into three different categories based on the selling price and engine type. Low MPVs, costing less than Rp 200 million (US$16,800), dominate the sales. Among them are the Toyota Avanza, Daihatsu Xenia, Suzuki Ertiga, Honda Mobilio, Chevrolet Spin, and the soon-to-be released Datsun Go+.

The Avanza is still the reigning champion and the biggest contributor to Toyota'€™s coffers in Indonesia. By the end of 2013, a decade after it was first introduced, the company reported it had sold 1,140,922 units of the Avanza, as quoted by kompas.com.

Avanza also tops the sales of low MPVs in the country.

The Honda Mobilio is the new player in the low MPV market, and, just like the Ertiga, it threatens the domination long held by Toyota and Daihatsu '€” both establishing their presence in Indonesia under the Astra Group.

The Mobilio'€™s fresh look and competitive price, but carrying the latest technology from Honda under its bonnet, have wowed many Indonesians. According to autobild.co.id, the car managed to steal the number-two spot from the Ertiga in the first quarter of the year.

'€œWe are very grateful that in a short time the Honda Mobilio has been well accepted by Indonesian consumers. We believe in the future, the sales of the Honda Mobilio will continue to show a positive trend as even now we have received orders for more than 30,000 units,'€ Jonfis Fandy, marketing and aftersales service director of PT Honda Prospect Motor, said.

To maintain its grip on the market, Toyota has launched its most luxurious types of Avanza, namely the Avanza Luxury and Veloz Luxury. With price tags of almost Rp 200 million and around Rp 210 million respectively, both variants are competing with some of the higher variants of low MPVs from its competitors. The highest variant of the Ertiga'€” the Suzuki Ertiga Elegant Plus '€” is priced at Rp 214.5 million, while the highest variant of the Mobilio '€” Honda'€™s Mobilio RS '€” is sold for around Rp 210 million.

Japanese carmakers are not the only players in the low MPV segment. Chevrolet released the Chevrolet Spin onto the market in April 2013. In one year, the company managed to sell 22,000 units. The car, which comes with seven variants, again rocked the market dominated by the Avanza and Xenia. Another weapon Chevrolet is bringing into the competition is a Chevrolet Spin diesel-engine variant, giving more choice to potential buyers.

Extra comfort offered by medium MPVs comes with steeper prices than those of low MPVs. But, medium-priced MPVs are bearing the brunt of the low MPV invasion. The Toyota Innova, Honda Freed, Nissan Grand Livina are the most popular names of medium MPV. Toyota'€™s Innova has been around the country for more than 35 years, known as the Toyota Kijang in the past, and has sold no less than 1.5 million according to kompas.com. The ever popular MPV soon will have another one of its variants hitting the market.

Nissan Motors Indonesia (NMI) reports the company continues to rely on its flagship MPV, the Grand Serena. The car contributes 60 percent to the company'€™s sales in the country. As reported by otosia.com, since 2007, Nissan has sold 137,000 units. Lower ground clearance is one thing many people take notice of right off the bat. Unlike other MPVs, which sport higher ground clearance, the Grand Livina offers a more sedan-like driving experience.

'€œWe are still relying on the Grand Livina, especially with the newest model which is more interesting and offers many added values,'€ said Ricky Thio, GM sales manager of NMI.

Several high or luxury MPVs are also getting a warm welcome. Toyota'€™s NAV1, the Honda Odyssey, Mazda Biante, Nissan Serena and Toyota Alphard are quite often seen on the streets of Jakarta. Rahmat Samulo, marketing director of TAM, said that in 2013, around 9,000 high-priced MPVs of various brands were sold, with the Toyota NAV1 coming top with 2,830 units sold.

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