REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA – Mayor of Solo, Joko Widodo, is optimistic that that Indonesia is ready to mass produce an affordable national car, Kiat Esemka. The prototype car -innovated by Solo vocational students- is now ready to undergo roadworthiness tests.

"The car is scheduled for an emission test on Monday at the Propulsion and Motor Thermodynamics Center (BTMP) in Serpong, South Tangerang, Banten, and once it passes the test, its mass production will quickly begin," said Jokowi.

Jokowi is optimistic that the car would pass the emission test, since the car has undergone various tests many times before. "I am optimistic that this car can pass the emissions test because it remains in good condition after being driven from Solo to Jakarta," he said.

He shares his opinion with a parliament member, Roy Suryo, who drove the car on the way from Solo to Jakarta. "Everything went smoothly, even when in the Semarang toll road, I drove the car at a speed of more than 125 KM per hour the car remained stable," said Roy.

Jokowi said the car will cost 95 million IDR, and will not be produced on a large scale at the early stage. "The initial production target is only 200 to 300 units per month, and it will be available at Solo Raya only with one or two dealers, and if it is already established it will be sold nationally. We do not want to hurry," he said.

Many Indonesian senior officials have expressed their interest to buy the SUV such as Minister of Public Works Djoko Kirmanto. "I got an sms from the Public Works minister which said he would order a Kiat Esemka car. He wanted the car to be immediately sent to Jakarta once production has commenced," said Jokowi.

The Kiat Esemka is a car assembled by students of Solo`s SMKN 2 (State Vocational High School 2) in cooperation with the owner of KIAT auto body shop in Klaten. Of all materials and components used in the Kiat Esemka 80 percent are local and 20 percent are imported.

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