Many don't know that there is actually a Mazda product that is produced in Indonesia, but instead it is not marketed in Indonesia. The product in question is the Mazda Bongo, the only Mazda product produced in Indonesia and re-exported to its home country, Japan.
This can happen because Bongo uses a similar base with the Daihatsu Gran Max and Toyota Town Ace. And Indonesia is the only country that is the basis for the production of these commercial cars.
Just like Gran Max, Bongo is also sold in Japan in two variants. Namely the type of minibus and pick-up.
Mazda Bongo is more desirable than Gran Max
Apparently, Japanese consumers' response to the Bongo was quite high, especially if you look at the export data for this car from Indonesia. Throughout 2022, a total of 2,095 Bongo units were exported from Indonesia to Japan.
Of the total exports, the pick-up variant dominated Bongo's exports, reaching 1,184 units. While minibuses are only 911 units. This figure is still less than the results of exports by Toyota's versions, which are named Town Ace and Lite Ace.
For export results to Japan in 2022, both of them recorded a figure of 15,828 units. Far away from Bongo and Gran Max with similar country goals.
Daihatsu's own product, namely the Gran Max, only produces the least export figures compared to its two siblings. During 2022, Gran Max exports to Japan were only 303 units.
In total, the combined exports to Japan of the three which include the Daihatsu Gran Max, Toyota Town Ace and Lite Ace, and Mazda Bongo produce a figure of 18,226 units.
Export Daihatsu Gran Max to Jamaica
PT Astra Daihatsu Motor started exporting Gran Max to its home country, namely Japan, since 2007. At that time, this car was exported under the names Toyota Town Ace and Lite Ace. New in 2020, added another Mazda Bongo.
Apart from Japan, this commercial car made in Indonesia has also been exported to many countries. Other export destination countries listed in the data from GAIKINDO include the Philippines, Bangladesh, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, United Arab Emirates, Bolivia, Panama, Bermuda, Jamaica, Guyana, Honduras, and others.
This does not include exports of these commercial vehicles to non-Japanese countries spread across Southeast Asia, the Middle East, and America. The destination country for the most Gran Max exports was Malaysia with 1,450 units.
