Gaikindo has set a sales target of 1.1 million units this year. It is unchanged from the 2018 target and is even lower than that year’s sales of 1.15 million units.

“The automotive industry’s growth and sales may be stagnant this year in line with the stagnating economic growth projection of 5 percent,” Gaikindo deputy chairman Jongkie Sugiarto told reporters at a press briefing on Thursday afternoon.

Other factors that might contribute to the stagnation include rupiah volatility, global economic uncertainty with the ongoing United States-China trade war and fluctuating oil prices.

With regards to Bank Indonesia’s seven-day repo rate, which was increased by 175 basis points last year to 6 percent, he said it was critical the central bank not make drastic rate hikes as it would widely affect people’s ability to buy vehicles, 70 percent of which are sold through leasing.

Gaikindo did not take into account the government’s recently implemented zero percent down payment policy for car installments, said Jongkie, pointing out that financing firms would not deliberately provide the facility for all creditors as the firms “would have to manage their risks”. 

Automakers could still find a ray of hope in the export market to offset the stagnating domestic demand, he said, referring to the government’s plan to boost trade talks this year that would increase export access by lowering trade barriers. (bbn)

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