Jakarta, Nov 8 (IANS): Indonesia's largest automobile producer, PT Toyota Astra-Motor (TAM), dropped its sales forecast this year after a flood in Thailand disrupted its supply of complete built-up units (CBU) and components, an official said.
Jakarta Post quoted TAM President Director Johny Darmawan as saying Tuesday that the company had slashed its sales target by 4.5 percent to 315,000 units because of the shortage from Thailand -- a regional production hub for leading automakers including Toyota, Honda, Nissan and Mitsubishi.
Toyota sources various auto parts from Thailand, including rear view mirrors and seat belts, but also imports several types of CBU, which contribute between 10 and 15 percent of its total local sales, reported Xinhua.
"Earlier, we aimed to sell 305,000 units, but increased this target in September to 330,000 units due to large quantities of supplies. However, the continuing floods forced us to revise our target," Darmawan said.
Despite the supply disruption resulting from the floods in Thailand, the company could not yet confirm plans to relocate its plants to Indonesia, he said.
"Indonesia has great potential to become Toyota's investment destination in the future, because we have the largest population (in Southeast Asia). But, it all now depends on the government, on the regulations and infrastructure," Darmawan said.