Kawasaki to expand sales in Indonesia

Kawasaki Heavy Industries Ltd. plans to expand sales to Indonesia due to a strong demand for a sporty motorcycle. Unlike regular models that have fuel tanks mounted under their seats, the Fury 125’s tank is located above the engine. Kawasaki had initially planned for annual sales of 20,000 units, but the demand has prompted it to double its target. To meet the surge in orders, the manufacturer will devote some production capacity at a Thai plant to the model. The company anticipates even better sales in Indonesia, where the motorcycle market is growing at a fast pace. Kawasaki, which has concentrated mainly on larger models, generates the bulk of its motorcycle sales in the U.S. and Europe where it sold 151,000 units last fiscal year. It is a latecomer to the Southeast Asian market, where demand is mostly for small models. (July 15, 2008)