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T Proton Edar Indonesia (PEI), a subsidiary of Malaysian carmaker Proton Holdings Berhad, launched new versions of the seven-seater MPV Proton Exora Star on Thursday in a bid to strengthen its foothold in the Indonesian market.

PEI marketing general manager Mazlan Bin Mohd Zain said after the launch that the new Exora Star, Exora Star Executive and Exora Star Supreme models have lower prices than the older versions of the car, which were launched at last year’s Indonesian International Motor Show (IIMS).

He said that the lower prices for the new models might boost PEI’s sales this year.

He also said that local accessory makers have also lowered their prices.

“We assembled the accessories locally, while major components, such as the chassis and engine, are still being imported from Malaysia,” he told journalists after the launch in Jakarta.

Locally assembled accessories for the Exora Star will include door visors, side-body molding and tinted windows, while those for the Exora Star Executive are alloy wheels, a rear parking sensor, outside mirror covers, fog lamps and a rear spoiler.

Accessories for the Exora Star Supreme will include both front and rear parking cameras, a rear chrome garnish and chrome door handles.

Meanwhile, older versions of the model that were launched at the IIMS will still come in completely built-up (CBU) forms.

PEI is pricing the Exora Star at Rp 154 million (US$17,255) with a manual transmission or Rp 165 million for an automatic transmission.

The Exora Star Executive is priced at Rp 168 million for a manual transmission and Rp 179 million for an automatic transmission, while the Exora Star Supreme sells at Rp 188 million for a manual transmission and Rp 199 million for an automatic transmission.

Each version shares the same 1,600cc four-cylinder engine, which can accelerate from zero to 100 kilometers per hour (kph) in 12.9 seconds. It has a top speed of 165 kph with an average fuel consumption of 12 kilometers per liter.

Zain said that the MPVs make up 70 percent of all PEI car sales, so the launch of the new MPVs could help improve the Exora Star’s monthly sales.

PEI will launch a six-seater automatic-transmission MPV Exora Prime and a new sedan at this year’s IIMS. The sedan will be simultaneously launched in Malaysia.

Monthly sales of the Exora Star are expected to increase from 100 cars to 200 cars, while annual sales are expected to increase from 3,000 cars in the year from April 2011 to reach 5,000 cars in the following year.

Between April 2010 and April 2011, PEI sold 2,600 cars. (fem)