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Esemka carmaker takes wing with Garuda SUV production
The Indonesian automaker has branched out from its iconic pickup trucks to join the SUV race with the Esemka Garuda 1.
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New pickup trucks from the Esemka Bima line are parked in the lot of a factory belonging to PT Solo Manufaktur Kreasi. The Central Java-based automaker has started production on its first SUV model, the Esemka Garuda 1. (JP/Ganug Nugroho Adi)
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ndonesian carmaker PT Solo Manufaktur Kreasi (PT SMK), known for its Esemka car brand, has started manufacturing its first SUV, the Esemka Garuda 1.
PT SMK spokesperson Sabar Budhi confirmed the production of the Garuda 1 but remained tight-lipped about the model's price.
"We have started production, but we have not yet determined the price," Sabar said on Monday as reported by tempo.co.
According to the Home Ministry's data on vehicle ownership transfer fee (BBNKB), the Esemka Garuda 1 is worth Rp 278.25 million (US$18,854) before taxes.
Prior to commencing production of the Esemka Garuda 1, PT SMK launched two pickup trucks called the Bima 1.2 and the Bima 1.3 in September 2019.
The company is currently developing two other cars in cooperation with state-owned weapons manufacturer Pindad: an electric double cab truck called Digdaya and an unnamed VVIP bulletproof SUV.
Pindad secretary Tuning Rudyati said earlier in April that the two companies were discussing the development of a new line for the President's official car.
"Pindad has the competence to build armored and bulletproof vehicles, but we need further research to domestically produce commercial bulletproof cars," she said at the time. "We're still discussing the technical aspects of the plan." (nal)
