RMA Group Targets Major Avis Expansion in Indonesia With Strategic Abhitrans Acquisition
Jakarta, Tuesday, 3 March 2026.
RMA Group has acquired Abhitrans to operate under the Avis brand, planning to aggressively grow the local fleet from under 300 to 5,000 vehicles within five years.
Strategic Market Consolidation
On March 3, 2026, the Bangkok-headquartered RMA Group announced the acquisition of PT Abhitrans Matra Indah, a move positioned to significantly bolster its mobility operations in Southeast Asia [1]. Abhitrans, which has operated since 2005 as part of the Abhitech Group, currently manages a fleet of just under 300 vehicles and serves over 50 commercial and industrial clients [1]. By integrating these assets, RMA Group intends to operate the acquired entity under the global Avis brand, leveraging Abhitrans’s existing operational pools in DKI Jakarta, Cilegon, and Balikpapan [1].
Aggressive Growth Targets
The financial and operational benchmarks set by this acquisition are substantial. RMA Group has outlined a roadmap to expand the Indonesian fleet to 1,000 vehicles within the next 12 months, with a long-term objective of reaching 5,000 vehicles within five years [1]. Achieving the short-term goal represents a fleet capacity increase of approximately 233.333 percent from current levels, signaling a major capital injection into the local market to scale the Avis brand.
Operational Continuity and Leadership
To ensure stability during this transition, RMA Group plans to retain the existing workforce, which includes more than 200 professional drivers and operational staff [1]. The company is currently led by Dennis Karnadi and Brenda Karnadi [1]. Arthur Linden, Head of M&A at RMA Group, described the acquisition as a pivotal component of the company’s long-term strategy to scale fleet and mobility operations in Indonesia [1]. Catarina Damasceno, General Manager of Avis Indonesia, noted that the expansion is designed to meet evolving customer needs while adhering to the brand’s established safety and service standards [1].
Infrastructure and Market Context
RMA Group views Indonesia as a core growth market and already maintains a significant footprint as the sole distributor of Ford vehicles and trucks in the country, with ongoing plans to establish local manufacturing for the brand [1]. However, scaling a fleet operation of this magnitude requires robust maintenance networks. In the broader commercial vehicle sector, Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) and resale value are heavily dependent on reliable after-sales support [2]. Currently, Mahindra Indonesia, which also falls under RMA Group’s management, operates with a network of five official dealers and workshops [2].
Analytical Outlook
The success of scaling the Avis brand to 5,000 units will likely hinge on RMA Group’s ability to mirror its aggressive fleet acquisition with robust service support. While the Abhitrans acquisition provides an immediate operational base, the challenge remains in scaling the supporting infrastructure to prevent the logistical bottlenecks often associated with rapid fleet expansion in the region [2]. As the group integrates Abhitrans into its portfolio, the focus will likely shift to how effectively it can synergize these new assets with its existing automotive distribution channels.