With a high demand for Multi Purpose Vehicles (MPV) in Indonesia, a number of sole agents and authorized distributors have put special attention into the market by making maneuvers to the price and design.

Even less popular MPVs, the twins Toyota Avanza and Daihatsu Xenia, were redesigned in 2011, seven years after their launch in 2004.

Customers with more than a few million in their pockets have more options in the middle range MPVs, such as the Honda Freed, Nissan Grand Livina and Serena, Toyota Kijang Innova, Proton Exora or Mazda 3.

PT Honda Prospect Motor (HPM) tried to lure customers in the most sought-after market by giving its Honda Freed a facelift and price reduction. The car has become Honda’s backbone in sales figures since its launch in June 2009 with 37,128 cars sold to date. The MPV was first redesigned in July 2010 and again earlier this month.

With the latest design, the company has set an ambitious target to reach 20,000 units in sales, or twice as much as the 10,112 units sold in 2010.

“Indonesian people like new things.

I believe that the MPV will remain dominant, both the medium and premium models,” HPM marketing and after-sales service director Jonfis Fandy said.

During a test drive from Jakarta to Bandung in West Java, around 40 journalists had the chance to try the New Honda Freed variant S, which offers a medium price among variant A and E. Variant A, S and E are priced at Rp 210 million (US$22,727), Rp 230.5 million and Rp 261 million consecutively on road for Greater Jakarta region.

There is no difference in the machine and performance. The New Honda Freed still carries i-VTEC 1.5 liters and four engines. The car, equipped with an Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), also keeps the five-speed automatic transmission.

The sleek and compact design of the minivan differs itself from other “chunky” looking competitors. It looks slim on the outside and has enough space on the inside. With a length of 4.2 meters, compared to Grand Livina’s 4.4 meters, it is understandable that the third row of New Honda Freed is a bit narrower

The improved exterior includes a new full-chrome front grill, new reflector lamps and new rears lamps. On closer inspection, you can also see that the type S and E have a new wheel rim design.

The interior of the car includes an edgy dashboard that will never fail to attract

attention. HPM calls it an open café design, which is actually a double-deck dashboard with a flat surface.

The in-dash shift knob lever gives more space in between the driver and front passenger seats, although you may need some time to get used to the vacant space. The redesigned car has the same shaped dashboard but it comes with a new color that emphasizes the two stages.

Other distinctive differences are the new fabric seating, new armrest in the second row and passenger seat in the first row, which really adds comfort.

Meanwhile, the new seat height adjustment provides easy seat positioning for the driver. Some minor changes in the interior included the front side door fabric lining and new back seat pockets. As for entertainment, there is a new double din audio with USB.

As we glided along Cipularang toll road with an average speed of 120 km per hour, the new eco lamp showed the friendly fuel consumption.

The only note for this car may be the air conditioner, as the car is not equipped with a double vent. A fellow journalist who drove our car said that the temperature was too low, while passengers in the second row felt perfectly fine. A more enhanced feature is available in type E, which comes with automatic air conditioner and heater.

With half of Indonesia’s 240 million people sitting in the middle class, more luring MPVs may likely be launched to tap the potential market.

— Photos by Indah Setiawati

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