Indonesia Astra Int'l sees higher vehicle sales

JAKARTA, March 1 - PT Astra International Tbk , Indonesia's largest automotive distributor, on Monday appointed Prijono Sugiarto as president director and forecast higher vehicle and motorcycle unit sales for 2010.

Sugiarto had been acting president director following the death of president director Michael Ruslim in January.

"We expect an increase in domestic vehicle sales to 520,000-530,000 from a year ago and for motorbikes, sales will be at 6.2 million, from 5.8 million previously," Sugiarto said, outlining the outlook for 2010 for total industry sales.

"Macro economic conditions are improving in 2010 due to faster economic growth and tame inflation. The BI (Bank Indonesia) rate will still be conducive."

Total domestic vehicle sales in 2009 reached 486,061 units.

"This year we expect domestic vehicle and motorbike sales to contribute about half of Astra International's revenue," he added

Sugiarto also said the firm plans to raise its capital expenditure this year by more than 50 percent to 8 trillion rupiah .

Astra is controlled by Singapore's Jardine Cycle & Carriage Ltd . (Reporting by Andreas Ismar; Writing by Dicky Kristanto; Editing by Sara Webb)