Before I can start my first ever kompasiana blog, I shall draw up a bit of separation. First, we are talking about a company called PT Solo Manufaktur Kreasi, not the Kiat Motor known for building the first Esemka branded car.Â
This confusion might, or probably had, lead to confusions among the rising critics. Especially for those of you who are across the road supporting opposition or the back benches. Second, we are about to seriously talk about an underrated way of selling. Common, back in the noir era of motorsport, but now had been largely dismissed.
Esemka Bima, and it's white or silver. I presume it will only come in two colors with rhinoceros colored interior as the introduction. It has two trim levels: the 1.2 with 'panda' front bumper; and the 1.3 with a bigger presence.
The ugly duckling is called
It has stick shift, some air-con knobs (I guess they are optional extras), a stereo (also an optional extra), and two seats. The best part of the truck, it has a big bed behind; ready for the agricultural or industrial duty.
Some said, it looks like Changan StarTruck or whatever it is that is built in the big China; which eventually spiralled down as the bad press of the new local truck. The good thing is, it has one heck of an engine.
Its 1,2 liter form will produce an LCGC shaming 96,5 horsepower and 119 newton meters of torque. It weighs, empty, just shy of 1 tonnes. Lose one of the bed's door and it will smoke Aylas and Brio Satyas. Truthfully, this truck is a good start for the new Esemka.
Let's say, if the competition doesn't stop Bima.
However, Esemka's plan made them right in the same pitch where Suzuki and Daihatsu are doing what is called 'a petrol engined pick-up deathmatch.'A pitch of duty and valor for auto manufacturers who can acclaim themselves that they are the toughest, the most capable, the most reliable, and so on.
Esemka, with its 1.2 and 1.3 Bima, will match against Daihatsu's Hijet based Hi-Max and Suzuki's 'not at all based on JDM Carry' All New Carry. Big problem for the rookie, as it only has a price advantage on top of the aftersales and 'the bad publicity' itself.
First sales? Figures talked by the company are optimistic-borderline of being too optimistic actually. So, into the main deal. How to overcome this? I think, they have to pull the biggest publicity stunt ever.Â