Esemka developing pick-up, collaborating with Proton

Esemka-01

Indonesian carmaker Esemka is reportedly developing a pick-up truck, which will premier in August this year. The company is cooperating with local carmaker, Proton, for the development of the pick-up truck, according to a report by Berita Satu.

Adiperkasa Citra Esemka Hero (ACEH) is the manufacturer of the Indonesian pick-up truck. According to its MD, Hosea Sanjaya, cooperation between Proton was established as the Malaysian automaker has been around for some time now and has the proper facilities to develop the Esemka vehicle.

Hosea noted that the cooperation agreement comes in the form of research and development between Esemka and Proton. The cooperation also has strategic benefits as it will be able to streamline Esemka’s export plans into several countries, including Malaysia. Currently, the company has set up an assembly plant in Cileungsi, West Java, which has an annual production capacity of 30,000 vehicles.

Proton_Pick-up_Concept_-001
Proton Pick-Up Concept based on Proton Exora

The managing director noted that the product in development was focused on growing the rural economy. “So at this early stage, we decided to produce a commercial vehicle in the form of a pick-up truck,” Hosea stated. In addition to that, at this current moment, commercial vehicles are currently not the main focus for Malaysian automakers – which represents an opportunity for Esemka.

Based on a report by the Jakarta Globe, Esemka pick-ups will be available in two models, with engine capacities of 1,000cc and 2,000cc. The company is looking to price the cheapest Esemka model at below 100 million rupiah (RM30k), below the competition. Sales will reportedly be carried out directly from automaker to customers “without having to set up distribution centres or dealer networks,” Hosea said.

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Graham Chin

Having spent a number of years as a journalist for a local paper, a marketing executive for a popular German automotive brand and a copywriter, Graham, a true-blue Sarawakian, knew he had to take the leap back into the motoring scene - and so he did. To him, nothing’s better than cruising for hours along a scenic route, in a car that’s designed and built for that purpose.

 

Comments

  • Jumbuckk on May 25, 2016 at 5:37 pm

    Pickup below rm30k price? Rebadge Arena kah?

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 14
    • hailthepurist on May 25, 2016 at 6:32 pm

      better book your grave hole 1st..

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 5 Thumb down 10
    • Alson P on May 25, 2016 at 8:38 pm

      Probably, rebadge Arena 1.0L below 30k.. And new developed 4×4 pickup will using 2.0L engine.. For Indonesian Varian no need 5-star NCAP, 3 or 4 star NCAP Is enough.. Indonesia’s market for cheap car is very big..

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 13 Thumb down 1
    • X dapat VW. dapat Indon pon jadi laa

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 8
  • karam singh on May 25, 2016 at 6:00 pm

    The new and improved proton arena. With 4×2 and 4×4, single cab and twin cab configurations

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 18 Thumb down 1
    • driver on May 26, 2016 at 9:25 am

      Currently, Proton doesn’t have 1L or 2L engine. Who would supply that? Suzuki?

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 3 Thumb down 0
      • Raptor951007 on May 26, 2016 at 4:58 pm

        Maybe they will use the new gdi and tje petronas engine

        Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • Since this is a jungle trekker, P1 shud call this P1 VAT69

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 2
  • LOK CHYI YEU on May 25, 2016 at 6:50 pm

    Proton always show pic but end up wait few years also no car coming out. No wonder their sales is like shit and their expenses so high

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 6 Thumb down 9
  • thebosssedangbercakap on May 25, 2016 at 7:44 pm

    Lepas ni berapa banyak teaser mahu keluar for this proton pick up truck?

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 15 Thumb down 1
  • Very funny.

    It’s like a South Indian chef inviting a North Indian chef to develop a new Bak Kut Teh dish.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 7 Thumb down 17
    • Alson P on May 25, 2016 at 8:44 pm

      The concept is easy.. Proton wanna sell very big volume pickup in Indonesia, so invite Indonesian carmaker JV develope and rebadge proton car then sell it..

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 20 Thumb down 0
  • Alson P on May 25, 2016 at 8:25 pm

    Nice lah.. Pickup 1.0L price around 30k and 2.0L around 70k.. 2×2 Arena or 4×4 pickup..

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 16 Thumb down 0
  • Pakulupapito on May 25, 2016 at 9:52 pm

    Proton have so much potential…but ruined by greedy people and kroni vendors.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 19 Thumb down 1
  • Malindocar on May 26, 2016 at 9:35 am

    Not sure if Proton have the engines required – 1000cc and 2000cc.(NE01?) for pick ups. The ones they have now that is still in production is just 1.3 and 1.6 variants. The 2.0 and 2.4 is Honda’s.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 0
  • Henry on May 26, 2016 at 11:42 am

    Economics 101. When you want to buy something you go to a place where that product is plentiful. Just go to China and buy one of their many current pickup truck platforms. Better still, buy the whole truck and re-badge it. Many reputable car manufacturers are re-badging. The gestation period is much shorter. Why do it the hard way?

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
    • Aero (Member) on May 31, 2016 at 3:07 pm

      That is exactly what they’re doing. Geely will be providing the platform (and engines?) for the new Esemka model, while Proton will likely advise or directly help design some exterior bits and maybe even the chassis/handling set-up. Esemka likely knows that Proton has experience in this field (recall the Arena/ Jumbuck), and Proton themselves (Dr. M at least) has hinted that a new Proton pick-up might be on the way.

      From what I can tell, Esemka has been rebadging Chinese cars all the while. They have a model which looks like a CR-V knock off, one based on the Chery Tiggo, another is a 1-to-1 clone of the Chery Eastar, and so on.

      P.S. : Thanks Driven team for publishing this news article, I appreciate it.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 0
 

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