The Jakarta Post
Dian Kuswandini, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
| Sat, 01/31/2009 10:21 AM | Life
You are what you wear, and when it comes to cars, you wear your status on the roads.
Unlike “fake” brand-name clothes and handbags, with a car there’s no fooling anyone: No way can you fake a car brand.
And given that what hits the road must be authentic, a car makes a strong statement about its owner’s persona.
Just imagine what it must be like to drive a Ferrari – how it would feel to have that power at your fingertips and your lifestyle and social status redefined. To have, hold and cherish such a car – with its skyhigh purchase price and maintenance costs – ensures you a position among the crème de la crème.
Once let loose only on racing circuits, Hollywood boulevards or the freeways of Europe, more and more top-of-the-range luxury sports cars are making their ways onto regular streets in Asia. Not even Jakarta’s chaotic traffic can prevent car lovers from parading their Ferraris, Porsches and Lamborghinis on our roads.
But if you think money is all you need to own a car such as a Ferrari, then you will have to think again. In some cases, it turns out, it is the car that picks you, not the other way around. Ferrari fanatic Ruhut Sitompul said buyers must first “pass” certain requirements before being allowed to drive a certain type of car. Ruhut said he had to fill out a questionnaire, which asked him to specify what kinds of sports car he already owned.
“It is important for Ferrari to make sure their cars are sold to the right people. You really have to know how to drive a sports car,” said Ruhut, a lawyer-cum-actor and former president of the Ferrari Owners Club Indonesia.
| Sat, 01/31/2009 10:21 AM | Life
You are what you wear, and when it comes to cars, you wear your status on the roads.
Unlike “fake” brand-name clothes and handbags, with a car there’s no fooling anyone: No way can you fake a car brand.
And given that what hits the road must be authentic, a car makes a strong statement about its owner’s persona.
Just imagine what it must be like to drive a Ferrari – how it would feel to have that power at your fingertips and your lifestyle and social status redefined. To have, hold and cherish such a car – with its skyhigh purchase price and maintenance costs – ensures you a position among the crème de la crème.
Once let loose only on racing circuits, Hollywood boulevards or the freeways of Europe, more and more top-of-the-range luxury sports cars are making their ways onto regular streets in Asia. Not even Jakarta’s chaotic traffic can prevent car lovers from parading their Ferraris, Porsches and Lamborghinis on our roads.
But if you think money is all you need to own a car such as a Ferrari, then you will have to think again. In some cases, it turns out, it is the car that picks you, not the other way around. Ferrari fanatic Ruhut Sitompul said buyers must first “pass” certain requirements before being allowed to drive a certain type of car. Ruhut said he had to fill out a questionnaire, which asked him to specify what kinds of sports car he already owned.
“It is important for Ferrari to make sure their cars are sold to the right people. You really have to know how to drive a sports car,” said Ruhut, a lawyer-cum-actor and former president of the Ferrari Owners Club Indonesia.
“It’s true that you have to act a little bit snobbish to own a Ferrari. If not, you won’t be allowed to buy one.”
The screening demands for ownership of an Enzo Ferrari are even more onerous, Ruhut added. The model, named after the company’s founder Enzo Ferrari, is priced at around US$643,000.
“To own an Enzo, you have to already own one or two Ferraris and be listed as a longtime loyal Ferrari customer.”
But for Indonesian buyers, the strict ownership requirements are not the only obstacle.
“Enzos are only manufactured with the steering wheel on the left side, while in Indonesia, we use the steering wheel on the right. That’s why we can’t drive an Enzo here.”
But there are some people to whom the question “why buy a car if you can’t drive it?” does not seem to apply.
Of the 400 Enzo owners in the world, Ruhut revealed, two are Indonesians.
“Yes, they don’t actually drive it. They bought it just for their collections,” he said.
“An owner I know had to ask for permission from the police in order to take his Enzo around his housing complex.”
Ruhut’s story makes it clear that no matter how hard it is to get the dream Ferrari – high price and demanding procedure – these cars can still find a welcoming home in Indonesia.
The country has seen witnessing the growth in ownership of super cars since 2000, when the government revoked a regulation limiting imports on certain types of luxurious completely built up (CBU) cars.
Budi Darmadi, the director general for the automotive industry at the Industry Ministry, said that even though premium class cars, including luxurious sports cars, have only a small percentage of the market share – about 5 percent – they have a lot of potential in the country.
However, he added, these cars, worth billions of rupiah, are favorites in Indonesia because their target market is those customers who are not affected by the current global financial slowdown. What’s more, these cars always have loyal – even passionate – customers.
With that bright outlook, Lamborghini has decided to open its first official showroom in South Jakarta in early February.
“A car like Lamborghini has loyal fanatics – something that means its sales won’t be affected despite the current global downturn,” PT Lamborghini Jakarta brand manager Jimmy Rianto said.
He said the Indonesian market had been waiting for a long time for the Italian luxury vehicle to arrive.
“We believe that there are many Lamborghini fanatics in Indonesia. In Jakarta alone, there are already 12 Lamborghini owners.”
According to Jimmy, Gallardo LP 5640-4 is expected to be the most sought-after Lamborghini here. In the United States, that model is priced at more than $200,000.
Like other limited luxury brands, Lamborghini do not have ready stock; interested buyers must place an order and then wait.
“How long a buyer has to wait will depend on the type of car,” Jimmy said. “There is no specific period.”
Ferrari fanatics also have to put their passion to drive on hold and be patient.
“To build one Ferrari requires about four to five months, and buyers must wait at least one year after that to get their hands on their dream cars,” said Arie Christopher, sales and marketing manager of Citra Langgeng Otomotif, sole distributor for Ferrari, Maserati and Ducati in Indonesia.
“Ferrari is not mass produced and it’s limited to a certain segment with a lengthy waiting list already.”
The long queue does not prevent customers from purchasing their piece of the Italian legend.
Arie said Ferrari was able to maintain its market here with stable sales of around 25 units every year. Since 2001, about 120 Ferraris have been sold in Indonesia.
Another famous name, Porsche, has also set its wheels in Indonesia. The country’s distributor for the German car, PT Eurokars Chrisdeco Utama, said it sells up to 50 Porsches every year.
The companies are optimistic that the numbers will continue — or even grow.
“The Ferrari market in Indonesia has grown significantly, making it considered a growth market in Southeast Asia,” Arie said.
And because Ferrari is already a strong and exclusive brand, “its promotional activities are limited only to certain exclusive groups,” he added.
“Every kind of limited-edition Ferrari, with the highest prices, is already owned by an Indonesian.”
Sidebox:
Loving life in the fast line
Ferrari wants to ensure its cars end up only in the hands of real enthusiasts, and prominent lawyer Hotman Paris Hutapea happens to be one of them.
Hotman says he has long adored the car because it flaunts the idea of luxury.
“I love it simply because of its luxurious character,” the flamboyant lawyer says. “This kind of car can really reflect my pride and how successful I am in life.”
Hotman says he has been collecting top-of-the-range cars since 1991; as for his Ferrari, he already changed it three times.
“The one that I have now is a cherry-red Ferrari Spider. I just got it this year,” he says, adding he had to pay about Rp 30 million (US$2600) a year just in tax for the car.
“I just love to see that Spider. It’s so beautiful. It feels so great to drive it at a high speed on the toll road.”
But of course, like other Ferrari lovers, Hotman cannot drive his baby every day.
“No way. Not in Jakarta, where you encounter heavy congestion and damaged streets. Everyone wants to drive a Ferrari because that would help us deal with our stress. But driving it here would stress us even more,” he laughs.
“Because of traffic jams you have to drive your Ferrari very slowly. But you know, Ferrari isn’t made for slow driving. Your Ferrari will shake terribly if you drive it that way.
“And the damaged streets hurt you even more in two ways: physically and mentally. I often think like, ‘oh my God, don’t let this precious thing be broken … This is very expensive,” Hotman laughs.
Instead, he only takes his Ferrari to special occasions about twice a week, usually on the weekend.
“Sometimes I drive it to my office too,” he says. “Or race it along the highway early in the morning, when there are no cars around so you can drive it really fast.”
Like Hotman, Ruhut Sitompul admits he only drives his Ferrari at the Sentul racing circuit in Bogor, West Java.
“The members of the Ferrari Owners Club Indonesia often race their cars there for exercise. We often invite a special coach from Italy to train us,” Ruhut says.
“Yes, most people buy these luxurious cars just for a hobby, not to really use them. Believe it or not, there was one time when I didn’t drive my Ferrari at all for a whole year.”
Ruhut tells of one of his friends who bought a Ferrari just because he loved looking at it, rather than driving it.
“He could spend hours just staring at the car. He said, ‘I get stressed out, but when I see my Ferrari I get over it … I feel like I’m seeing a sexy lady,’” Ruhut laughs.
Ruhut says he even knows of two Indonesian men who chipped in to buy a Ferrari together.
“They love their Ferrari so much that they don’t mind taking turns to use it. They have their own schedule.
“Yes,” Ruhut admits. “People really will do anything for hobby.”
http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2009/01/31/loving-life-fast-lane.html
http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2009/01/31/loving-life-fast-lane.html
The screening demands for ownership of an Enzo Ferrari are even more onerous, Ruhut added. The model, named after the company’s founder Enzo Ferrari, is priced at around US$643,000.
“To own an Enzo, you have to already own one or two Ferraris and be listed as a longtime loyal Ferrari customer.”
But for Indonesian buyers, the strict ownership requirements are not the only obstacle.
“Enzos are only manufactured with the steering wheel on the left side, while in Indonesia, we use the steering wheel on the right. That’s why we can’t drive an Enzo here.”
But there are some people to whom the question “why buy a car if you can’t drive it?” does not seem to apply.
Of the 400 Enzo owners in the world, Ruhut revealed, two are Indonesians.
“Yes, they don’t actually drive it. They bought it just for their collections,” he said.
“An owner I know had to ask for permission from the police in order to take his Enzo around his housing complex.”
Ruhut’s story makes it clear that no matter how hard it is to get the dream Ferrari – high price and demanding procedure – these cars can still find a welcoming home in Indonesia.
The country has seen witnessing the growth in ownership of super cars since 2000, when the government revoked a regulation limiting imports on certain types of luxurious completely built up (CBU) cars.
Budi Darmadi, the director general for the automotive industry at the Industry Ministry, said that even though premium class cars, including luxurious sports cars, have only a small percentage of the market share – about 5 percent – they have a lot of potential in the country.
However, he added, these cars, worth billions of rupiah, are favorites in Indonesia because their target market is those customers who are not affected by the current global financial slowdown. What’s more, these cars always have loyal – even passionate – customers.
With that bright outlook, Lamborghini has decided to open its first official showroom in South Jakarta in early February.
“A car like Lamborghini has loyal fanatics – something that means its sales won’t be affected despite the current global downturn,” PT Lamborghini Jakarta brand manager Jimmy Rianto said.
He said the Indonesian market had been waiting for a long time for the Italian luxury vehicle to arrive.
“We believe that there are many Lamborghini fanatics in Indonesia. In Jakarta alone, there are already 12 Lamborghini owners.”
According to Jimmy, Gallardo LP 5640-4 is expected to be the most sought-after Lamborghini here. In the United States, that model is priced at more than $200,000.
Like other limited luxury brands, Lamborghini do not have ready stock; interested buyers must place an order and then wait.
“How long a buyer has to wait will depend on the type of car,” Jimmy said. “There is no specific period.”
Ferrari fanatics also have to put their passion to drive on hold and be patient.
“To build one Ferrari requires about four to five months, and buyers must wait at least one year after that to get their hands on their dream cars,” said Arie Christopher, sales and marketing manager of Citra Langgeng Otomotif, sole distributor for Ferrari, Maserati and Ducati in Indonesia.
“Ferrari is not mass produced and it’s limited to a certain segment with a lengthy waiting list already.”
The long queue does not prevent customers from purchasing their piece of the Italian legend.
Arie said Ferrari was able to maintain its market here with stable sales of around 25 units every year. Since 2001, about 120 Ferraris have been sold in Indonesia.
Another famous name, Porsche, has also set its wheels in Indonesia. The country’s distributor for the German car, PT Eurokars Chrisdeco Utama, said it sells up to 50 Porsches every year.
The companies are optimistic that the numbers will continue — or even grow.
“The Ferrari market in Indonesia has grown significantly, making it considered a growth market in Southeast Asia,” Arie said.
And because Ferrari is already a strong and exclusive brand, “its promotional activities are limited only to certain exclusive groups,” he added.
“Every kind of limited-edition Ferrari, with the highest prices, is already owned by an Indonesian.”
Sidebox:
Loving life in the fast line
Ferrari wants to ensure its cars end up only in the hands of real enthusiasts, and prominent lawyer Hotman Paris Hutapea happens to be one of them.
Hotman says he has long adored the car because it flaunts the idea of luxury.
“I love it simply because of its luxurious character,” the flamboyant lawyer says. “This kind of car can really reflect my pride and how successful I am in life.”
Hotman says he has been collecting top-of-the-range cars since 1991; as for his Ferrari, he already changed it three times.
“The one that I have now is a cherry-red Ferrari Spider. I just got it this year,” he says, adding he had to pay about Rp 30 million (US$2600) a year just in tax for the car.
“I just love to see that Spider. It’s so beautiful. It feels so great to drive it at a high speed on the toll road.”
But of course, like other Ferrari lovers, Hotman cannot drive his baby every day.
“No way. Not in Jakarta, where you encounter heavy congestion and damaged streets. Everyone wants to drive a Ferrari because that would help us deal with our stress. But driving it here would stress us even more,” he laughs.
“Because of traffic jams you have to drive your Ferrari very slowly. But you know, Ferrari isn’t made for slow driving. Your Ferrari will shake terribly if you drive it that way.
“And the damaged streets hurt you even more in two ways: physically and mentally. I often think like, ‘oh my God, don’t let this precious thing be broken … This is very expensive,” Hotman laughs.
Instead, he only takes his Ferrari to special occasions about twice a week, usually on the weekend.
“Sometimes I drive it to my office too,” he says. “Or race it along the highway early in the morning, when there are no cars around so you can drive it really fast.”
Like Hotman, Ruhut Sitompul admits he only drives his Ferrari at the Sentul racing circuit in Bogor, West Java.
“The members of the Ferrari Owners Club Indonesia often race their cars there for exercise. We often invite a special coach from Italy to train us,” Ruhut says.
“Yes, most people buy these luxurious cars just for a hobby, not to really use them. Believe it or not, there was one time when I didn’t drive my Ferrari at all for a whole year.”
Ruhut tells of one of his friends who bought a Ferrari just because he loved looking at it, rather than driving it.
“He could spend hours just staring at the car. He said, ‘I get stressed out, but when I see my Ferrari I get over it … I feel like I’m seeing a sexy lady,’” Ruhut laughs.
Ruhut says he even knows of two Indonesian men who chipped in to buy a Ferrari together.
“They love their Ferrari so much that they don’t mind taking turns to use it. They have their own schedule.
“Yes,” Ruhut admits. “People really will do anything for hobby.”
http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2009/01/31/loving-life-fast-lane.html
http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2009/01/31/loving-life-fast-lane.html
