Imports Of Cars Up

Jakarta,Aug 6 (ANTARA) - Indonesia imports cars and car components worth US$4.93 billion in the first semester this year, according to the association of automotive industries (Gaikindo). "Imports of cars and their components from January to June reached US$4.93 billion up by US$1.53 billion from US$3.4 billion in the same period last year," Gaikindo`s first chairman Yongkie D said here on Monday. He said imports were up due to increasing demand at home. "If car sales at home increase demand for components also increase," he explained. He added that some principals still supplied components from abroad for domestic car assembling. "The recovery in completely built-up car supplies from Japan and Thailand has helped increase the import value. Early in the year imports of CBU cars were hindered by tsunami in Japan and big floods in Thailand," he said. Yongkie said starting in the second quarter car production in Japan and Thailand revived increasing CBU car exports to the country. According to Gaikindo data CBU car imports in the first semester rose 31.88 percent to 54.924 units from 41.646 in the same period last year. Sales of CBU cars in the first semester this year meanwhile reached 52,823 units, Yongkie said. He said imports of cars and components in June reached US$911.9 million down 1.6 percent from US$927.3 million in May.