BEKASI. PT SAIC General Motors Wuling (SGMW) Motor Indonesia is set to open an assembly plant in Greenland International Industrial Center in Kota Deltamas, Bekasi.

The Industry Ministry inaugurated the plant's construction on Thursday. The plant takes up 60 hectares of land, half of which are dedicated to the production plant and the other half to the supplier's side.

"We deeply appreciate SAIC Motor Corporation Ltd, General Motors and Guangxi Motor Corporation for investing in Indonesia," said the ministry's director general of metal, machinery, transportation equipment and electronic industries, I Gusti Putu Surjawirawan, on Thursday as quoted by Antara news agency.

He added that the plant would have a significant impact on the national economy in terms of employment as well as tax revenue.

Meanwhile, SGMW Motor Indonesia vice president Yuan Zhijun said that since Indonesia is the biggest economy in Southeast Asia it has a huge potential in the auto market.

"SGMW Motor Indonesia was established due to the potential and opportunities here. We are confident about our presence in Indonesia," said Yuan. (++++)

He added that the company has long-term development goals and is set to build various systems including supply and network chains, production and sales services and financial support in an open investment environment.

SGMW Motor is a Chinese-based auto manufacturer for mini-commercial vehicles and multi-purpose vehicles (MPV). The investment value of its first plant in Indonesia reached US$700 million.

The main product that will be produced by the plant is an MPV under the Wuling brand, which is expected to be available starting 2017. (kes)

Editor: Yudho Winarto