PT Toyoto Astra Motor (TAM) is striving to become the leader in Indonesia's mini-sedan industry by controlling more than 50 percent of the market which in 2007 is estimated to total 9,000 units, the company's chief said on Wednesday.

"We wish to become the leader again in this market segment," TAM President Director Johny Darmawan said at the launching of the company's global-standard All New Vios sedan here on Wednesday.

He said demand for mini sedans with a cylinder capacity below 1500 cc would rise following improvements in the country's economy.

Last year, mini-sedan sales in the country reached 8,800 units and in 2007 it was expected to increase to 9,000 units.

He hoped that by launching of the global standard Vios sedan the company could secure 30 to 40 percent of the market in the country.

"As we start selling the sedan in April we hope sales until the end of this year will reach 4,800 to 5,000 units," Antara news agency quoted Darmawan as saying.

In 2006 sales of Vios sedans in a number of Asean countries such as Thailand reached 36,000 units to secure around 38.6 percent of the market in its class. In Malaysia, sales reached 21, 000 units to secure 37.7 percent of the market.

In the Philippines and Vietnam it secured respectively 45.6 and 76.4 percent of the market.

In Indonesia it competed with Honda City which last year controlled 58.6 percent of the market. Vios sales in Indonesia last year accounted for 29.1 percent of the market.

Source: Xinhua