SAIC MAXUS held a launch event for its V80 model in Indonesia on Aug 20, marking a new step in implementing its Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) strategy as well as progress in expanding overseas markets.

Indonesian Vice-President Jusuf Kalla attended the ceremony and gave his endorsement to SAIC’s products.

In recent years, SAIC has attached great importance to ASEAN countries. In particular, it has accelerated the pace in tapping the markets in Malaysia, Thailand and Indonesia.

Malaysia, Thailand, the Philippines and Indonesia account for nearly 70 percent of the ASEAN’s light commercial vehicles market, with the Indonesian market being the biggest, especially in the MPV segment.

At the Indonesian motor show, MAXUS launched the V80 Minibus range, which can be used as a commuter, tour or shuttle bus. Compared with Japanese and South Korean rival products, the V80 has the advantages of being spacious, powerful and safe, with low emissions.

In the future, MAXUS will release the G10 MPV in Indonesia. The company sold a total of 7,584 G10s from January to July in 2015, with notable sales performance in Australia, reaching 1,000 units. It believes the offer will be attractive to Indonesians drivers, too.