Member News

On Friday, 26 November 2021, Indonesian French Chamber of Commerce and Industry (IFCCI) successfully organized the biggest wine festival, “Beaujolais Nouveau”. Originated in France, Beaujolais Nouveau celebrates the new wine of the harvest on the third Thursday of November. Experiencing a vacuum in 2020 due to the pandemic, IFCCI’s Beaujolais Nouveau is back offline, by combining both business with culture. French and Indonesian professionals gathered at the Jakarta Ballroom of the Mandarin Oriental to enjoy glasses of wine, assisted buffet, while having a chance to network with the community.

The event was commenced with an opening speech from IFCCI’s President Mr. Philippe Augier, continued by the French Ambassador, H.E. Mr. Olivier Chambard, who officially started the event with the first toast accompanied by Mr. Philippe Augier and H.E. Mr. Mohammad Oemar, the Indonesian Ambassador in France. Beaujolais Nouveau 2021 is supported by the Ambassade de France en Indonesie et au Timor Oriental and Atalian Global Services Indonesia, as the event’s main sponsor. Atalian’s participation in this event is a part of the #CleanIsANewCare campaign to reduce the spread of the COVID-19 infection by taking responsibility of shared public spaces.

IFCCI also would like to express its’ highest appreciation to the sponsors that helped make this event a success. Beaujolais Nouveau 2021 is sponsored by Danone Aqua, BNP Paribas, Bollore Logistics Indonesia, Mazars Indonesia, Natura Resort and Spa, Sinarmas LDA Maritime, San Miguel, AGS Indonesia, and Airstar. IFCCI also would like to thank Indonesia Expat as the event’s media partner.

The participants of Beaujolais Nouveau 2021 were delighted by the lucky draw session supported by our sponsors; Qatar Airways, The Ascott Limited, Sultan Hotel and Residence, and Tugu Hotels. The event was concluded at 10 PM with the dimming of the lights and satisfied participants. IFCCI would like to thank all of the sponsors and participants that made the night into a huge success, and hope we all could gather again in Beaujolais Nouveau 2022.

Jakarta/Wanaherang. PT Mercedes-Benz Distribution Indonesia and PT Mercedes-Benz Indonesia were honored to welcome the Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany to Indonesia, H.E. Ms. Ina Lepel and the Director General of Metal, Machinery, Transportation, and Electronic Industry (ILMATE), Ministry of Industry of the Republic of Indonesia, Bapak Taufiek Bawazier, at the Mercedes-Benz Indonesia plant in Wanaherang to witness the production roll-off of the new S-Class and the new E-Class.

With the introduction of the two new Mercedes-Benz luxury sedans, the brand with the three-pointed-star continues its strong commitment as the only European automobile company investing and assembling vehicles at its own facilities in Indonesia.

“We are honored that the Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany to Indonesia, H.E. Ms. Ina Lepel and Director General ILMATE of the Ministry of Industry, Bapak Taufiek Bawazier have witnessed to production roll-off of the new S-Class and the new E-Class. The new luxury sedans by Mercedes-Benz are the benchmark in their respective classes and we are proud that these new products are assembled at the Mercedes-Benz Indonesia plant in Wanaherang”, says Choi Duk Jun, President Director, PT Mercedes-Benz Distribution Indonesia.

During the visit, the representatives of the Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany to Indonesia and the representatives of the Ministry of Industry were invited to the production facilities of PT Mercedes-Benz Indonesia for a plant tour led by Patrick Schwind, President Director, PT Mercedes-Benz Indonesia.

“We are very proud that – even during the pandemic - we have managed to assemble the new S-Class and the new E-Class. The Mercedes-Benz S-Class is the segment-leading luxury limousine and we have accomplished to receive the “Green Quality Release” from independent auditors for the assembly of this vehicle in Indonesia. We continue our path to assembling high-quality Mercedes-Benz vehicles adhering to certified quality standards. We are proud that we have a highly motivated and passionate group of talents that assemble the Mercedes-Benz cars for our Indonesian customers”, says Patrick Schwind.

Mercedes-Benz can look back at a colorful history in Indonesia. The manufacturing company and the distribution company were founded in 1970, yet the first motor vehicle ever in the archipelago was a Benz: the Benz Victoria Phaeton. It was owned by the Sultan of Solo, Pakoeboewono X who purchased the vehicle in 1894, marking the beginning of mobility in Indonesia. In 1973, the first Mercedes-Benz passenger car was assembled in Indonesia, the predecessor of the E-Class, the Mercedes-Benz W 115 generation, also known as “mini”. The first locally-assembled S-Class – that is still considered the most luxurious limousine – in Indonesia was the W 126 generation – known as “eagle” in 1979. In 1978, the construction of the Mercedes-Benz plant in Wanaherang started and operations commenced in 1982. One of the first models that were assembled here was the iconic G-Class or “G-Wagon”.

Currently, PT Mercedes-Benz Indonesia operates at an area of 411,000 square meters, and produces high-quality vehicles that the discerned customers expect from a Mercedes-Benz. 10 Mercedes-Benz models are assembled at the plant in Wanaherang, destined for the Indonesian market: the A-Class, C-Class, E-Class and S-Class sedans, as well as GLA, GLC, GLE and GLS SUVs, and the AMG A 35 Sedan and GLA 35.

“We trust that with the new S-Class and the new E-Class, we can continue to provide Best-Customer-Experience with excellent products. While the new E-Class now comes with more convenience and safety equipment, the S-Class comes with advanced technologies and exemplary supreme comfort. The demand for these Mercedes-Benz luxury sedans have significantly increased since the market launch. We are also grateful to our stakeholders and business partners that have contributed to our success so far this year”, said Choi Duk Jun.

“We would like to thank the Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany to Indonesia and the Ministry of Industry, Republic of Indonesia, for their strong support that enabled Mercedes-Benz Indonesia to continue its production activities during the pandemic. As the only European automotive company in Indonesia owning its own production facilities, we remain focused to assemble 10 different models, handcrafted by our highly skilled and trained talents at the production line”, closes Patrick Schwind.