TMC Executive Vice President Yukitoshi Funo Speech at
IIMS Press Conference in Jakarta, Indonesia

Selamat siang (good afternoon).

I'm Yukitoshi Funo from Toyota Motor Corporation, and I'd like to thank you for attending our press conference here at the 20th Indonesia International Motor Show.

I might say that Asia and Indonesia have a special meaning for me. When I joined Toyota in 1970, my first assignment was Asia operations.

In the many years since, I was responsible for this region. Even during the time I lived in Australia and America, I always kept a close eye on Asian operations.

Toyota started operating in Indonesia in 1971, just one year after I entered the company, and in 1977 we developed and launched the "Kijang"―you may know that car as "the car of Indonesia and Indonesian people".

For over 40 years, Toyota has not only made and sold cars here; We have been doing projects to contribute to Indonesian society, following just one thought: "How can we contribute to this country, and to its people?"

During the Asian financial crisis of 1997, for example, the automobile industry was badly damaged by shrinking demand and the rising prices of imported parts due to the exchange rate. But, working hard together with suppliers and dealers―hand in hand―Toyota has overcome this and many such crises in the past four decades.

Today, Indonesia shows the remarkable success of its economy and society. Thanks to such success, Toyota could also make considerable growth in the country. Looking at the street, you can see many Toyota cars going around the city with the father in the driving seat, the mother in the passenger seat, and the children in the back seats.

I am truly glad to see that scene. I'm confident that we made the right decision. We made a lot of effort to stay here and to be loved here.

With a population of 240 million, skilled and diligent workers, and a wealth of natural resources, Indonesia presents great possibilities. And with bold initiatives from the government, I have no doubt that the Indonesian economy will grow even larger. Through our business, Toyota also can definitely contribute to the country and society.

Today we present the Toyota Agya to you here. Following the Agya, Toyota will offer even more good and enjoyable cars in the future to an even wider range of customers in Indonesia. More specifically, we plan to introduce four or more new cars over the next four years. Also, we plan to increase our annual production in Indonesia to accommodate 300,000 units in the near future.

On top of that, we will continue to contribute to Indonesian society through increased localization. Going forward, Toyota will work side by side with the Indonesian people and Indonesian society, just as we always have done.

Terima kasih (thank you)!