Returning To The Indonesian Market At GIIAS 2024, Inchcape Promises Best Aftersales of Smart Brand

Smart #3 Premium and Brabus are exhibited at GIIAS 2024. (Photo: Bagus Muhammad Hafizh / VOI)

JAKARTA - Smart officially returned to the Indonesian market by cooperating with Inchcape and introducing the latest model, Smart #3, at the 2024 Gaikindo Indonesia International Auto Show (GIIAS) at ICE BSD, Tangerang.

This German manufacturer not only made foot in Indonesia, but also brought advanced technology and features to the Smart #3 model that carries a compact SUV style with a relieved space.

In addition to introducing its flagship EV model, Smart also provides aftersales services and a strong network of dealers. This is so that Smart vehicle owners and enthusiasts can feel the comfort and convenience of buying and caring for their vehicles.

President Director of PT Inchcape Automobile Indonesia, Khoo Shao Tze, emphasized the importance of the broad network owned by Inchscope in making it easier for customers or smart car enthusiasts.

"This is the reason why Smart collaborated with Inchcape in Indonesia. Even though Smart is a new brand, our network is already established," said Khoo Shao Tze when answering VOI questions in Tangerang, Thursday, July 18.

However, Khoo Shao Tze said that Smart is likely to use the Mercedes-Benz dealer network to sell its cars in Indonesia and has no plans to have its own facilities.

"If we set up a network of dealers for just one model, many showroom owners may be worried. Providing its own aftersales service is also difficult and requires a mature infrastructure," he added.

However, he also does not rule out the possibility that Smart will have a network of independent dealers in the future.

"Smart is special because this brand is owned 50 percent by Germany, and many people in Indonesia know about Mercedes-Benz. This is our advantage in terms of connection and networking," he explained.

Short History Of Smart Automobile

Smart Automobile Co., Ltd was founded in 1994 under the umbrella of Micro Compact Car AG (MCC), a joint venture between SMH and Daimler-Benz. In 1998, MCC became a wholly owned subsidiary of Daimler-Benz and changed its name to Smart GmbH. In 2006, the brand was acquired by DaimlerChrysler and became part of the Mercedes-Benz car division, offering models such as Fortwo coupe, Fortwo convertible, and Forfour hatchback.

Starting in 2019, Daimler announced a joint venture with Geely to continue Smart development with a deal worth 5.4 million yen, involving a new production plant in China as the newest vehicle assembly site. Since then, Smart has again staked its nails in the automotive industry, especially in the electrification sector. With the Geely SEA platform, the first model to be built in the Mercedes and Geely era was Smart #1, which was introduced as a concept in 2021 and started production a year later.