Weststar Group and its automotive subsidiary will begin retail operations in Indonesia in the beginning of October 2013.

It is targeting to sell around 100 Maxus van units between October and December and 2000 units the next year.

Senior Vice President of Weststar Group Datuk Nik Hamdan Nik Hasan, this is a very important step for Weststar as Indonesia is a huge market to tap into.

There are almost 50-60,000 vans in the Indonesian markets, whereas there is only 9000 in Malaysia.

“We have been given the Form D so we can carry out our retail operations in ASEAN. We are given certain exemptions on duties so we can penetrate the Indonesian market in a more competitive way,” he says.

Nik Hamdan adds, that the maxus vans are able to differentiate itself from other vans in the market due to its space.

The vans can also be modified to suit different operational uses in a variety of sectors such as banking, healthcare, broadcasting and even post.

The vans are sold at around RM180,000 per unit depending on if the customer wants it to be customized.

Meanwhile, Weststar has said that one of the main issues that the company faces is getting their pilots and engineers.

“Tullow Oil is our latest client, and they are operating two of our choppers, and they have invited us to support operations in Guinea Conarky, we are looking at exploring that but its not easy to get the manpower, it is our main concern,” Syed Azman says.

Weststar’s staff consists on 70% local staff and 30% international staff.

Astro Awani met Tan Sri Syed Azman and Datuk Nik Hamdan after the breaking of fast event for orphans in Kota Bharu, Kelantan