Nissan recently announced that it would cut 12,500 jobs globally and reduce production by 10 percent after its operating profit plunged 99 percent in the first fiscal quarter this year as its aging lineup weighs on profitability amid a global slump in car demand, according to international media reports.

In Indonesia, however, Nissan participated in this year’s Gaikindo International Motor Show (GIIAS), held from July 18 to 28 at the Indonesia Convention Exhibition (ICE) center in BSD, Tangerang, showcasing electric vehicles as the company introduced an affordable electric vehicle, Leaf, in the country.

Nissan senior vice president for Asia and Oceania Vincent P. Wijnen spoke with The Jakarta Post’s Rachmadea Aisyah recently to discuss the company’s plans in Indonesia as it hopes to see growth in the country’s electric vehicle market. Here are excerpts from the interview.

Could you start by elaborating on Nissan's current market situation in Indonesia?

We are going through a transformation, strengthening our network, so we are investing a lot with our partners in renewing dealerships, and in some cases adding new dealerships as well, basically preparing for the launch of models we started launching last year. 

We've already launched the Nissan Terra, Nissan Serena, the Livina, of course, and today we have launched the new X-trail, so basically we are preparing a network of our future growth because we see Indonesia as one of our big growth markets.

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