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BYD Indonesia EV Plant Nears Production
Akihiro Komuro Chinese electric vehicle manufacturer BYD is moving closer to launching local production in Indonesia as construction of its EV assembly plant in Subang, West Java, progresses toward operational readiness. The facility is designed with an annual production capacity of approximately 150,000 vehicles and is currently entering the final preparation stage ahead of full-scale production.
According to reports, the plant has begun trial production and manufacturing line verification as the company prepares for commercial operations. The project represents one of the largest EV manufacturing investments in Indonesia and reflects the country’s efforts to attract electric vehicle production.
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India–Indonesia Auto Relationship Gains Strength
Aditya Kondejkar The evolving automotive relationship between India and Indonesia is increasingly defined by structured, government-linked procurement and industrial collaboration rather than routine export activity. Recent transactions involving Tata Motors, Mahindra & Mahindra, and Ashok Leyland signal a measurable expansion of India’s commercial vehicle footprint in Southeast Asia’s largest economy.
Indonesia’s infrastructure expansion, rural logistics formalization, and cooperative-based distribution programs have generated concentrated demand for light and medium commercial vehicles. Unlike fragmented retail-driven sales, these programs are characterized by bulk institutional procurement, creating predictable order pipelines and scale efficiencies for suppliers. Indian manufacturers, with established competencies in cost-optimized, durable vehicle platforms suited to emerging market operating conditions, have been able to secure sizeable allocations.
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Construction Machinery Demand Could Hit 25,000 Units
Akihiro Komuro The Indonesian Heavy Equipment Distributors Association (PAABI) forecasts an expansion in construction machinery demand in 2026, with a potential total of 23,000 to 25,000 units. This represents an estimated growth of 5% to 8% compared to 2025, with a projected total market size of around US$3.62 billion.
According to the PAABI Chairman, the increase in demand in 2026 will be driven by the nation’s Strategic Infrastructure Projects (PSN), the ongoing construction of the new capital, IKN, and mining activities at major nickel and coal sites. These projects are expected to increase demand for heavy machinery, such as hydraulic excavators, wheel loaders, and bulldozers.
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China’s LiuGong To Invest in Factory in West Java
INDONESIA REPORT
Akihiro Komuro In October 2025, LiuGong Indonesia, the Indonesian subsidiary of the Chinese construction machinery manufacturer LiuGong, signed a memorandum of understanding regarding its investment plan for an industrial zone. The new factory in Karawang, which is expected to begin operations in 2026, will have an annual production capacity of 5,000 units and will require a total investment of $317 million. The factory will incorporate AGVs, MES and a dedicated R&D center for electric construction machinery, advancing the adoption of advanced technologies.
Through partnerships with local suppliers, the company aims to increase its TKDN (local content requirement) and achieve certification within five years. Products will be exported to the domestic market, as well as to Southeast Asia, Australia and North America, with an expected annual foreign exchange earnings effect of $40 million. LiuGong views this investment as a contribution to strengthening Indonesia’s heavy equipment industry ecosystem and supporting sustainable development.
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Iseki To Move Production To Indonesia
JAPAN REPORT
Akihiro Komuro Iseki will produce 90% of its products for overseas markets, mainly Europe and the United States, in Indonesia by 2030. The company will gradually transfer the production of tractors and other products for overseas markets that have been handled domestically and will use the consolidation of production as an opportunity to review product design.
In Japan, the market for agricultural machinery is shrinking, and it is difficult to secure human resources. The company will strengthen the position of its production base in Indonesia to expand its overseas business, particularly in Europe and the United States.
The production capacity of the local plant increased to 22,000 units in 2023, a 20% increase over the previous capacity. At present, the production transfer is about 60% complete.
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Indonesia Moves To Reduce Chinese Ownership of Nickel Projects
INDONESIA REPORT
Akihiro Komuro Indonesia is trying to reduce Chinese investment in new nickel mining and smelting operations in order to qualify for U.S. tax incentives. Under the Biden administration’s Inflation-Reduction Act (IRA), large tax incentives will apply after 2025. However, it does not apply to batteries sourced from “foreign entities of concern,” such as companies in which Chinese capital holds more than 25% of the shares, or to EVs that use nickel or other key minerals. Indonesia’s nickel industry will be hit hard by these conditions. This is because the country has been the world’s largest producer of nickel for the past four years, thanks to a large influx of Chinese capital into its mining and smelting operations.
According to three people familiar with the matter, the Indonesian government and the nickel industry are working on new investment projects in which Chinese companies will have a smaller stake. It is possible that the nickel supplied through these deals will be eligible for tax benefits under the IRA. However, in order for the Indonesian nickel industry to receive tax benefits, it will also need to negotiate a trade agreement with the United States. The Indonesian side is proposing an agreement limited to critical minerals.
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Hyundai Sells More Than 800 EVs at Indonesia Auto Show
FAR EAST: SOUTH KOREA REPORT
Hyundai Motor Indonesia (HMID) said it has signed contracts for more than 800 units of the Ioniq 5 EV announced at the Indonesia International Motor Show (IIMS) Hybrid 2022 in Jakarta.
The company announced that it has started mass production of the Ioniq 5 and that it will begin shipping to dealers in April. The Creta SUV was the second most sold model after the Ioniq 5, with approximately 600 units sold, bringing the total number of vehicles sold to over 1,500, including EVs and gasoline-powered vehicles.
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Hyundai Motor and LG Chem To Build $1.1 Billion EV battery Plant in Indonesia
Hyundai Motor and LG Chem have announced they will build a battery plant for EVs in Indonesia. The investment of $1.1 billion will be shared equally. The plant will mass produce batteries in Indonesia, which has the world’s largest reserves of nickel, and supply them to Hyundai Motor and Kia’s complete vehicle plants around the world. The new plant will be established on a 330,000 square meter site in an industrial park in the Karawang region, about 65 kilometers southeast of central Jakarta. Construction will begin by the end of this year and mass production will begin in 2024.
The plant will have an annual production capacity of 10 gigawatt-hours, enough to supply batteries for 150,000 EVs. Hyundai and Kia have a plan to launch a total of 23 new EV models in the next five years. In order to expand the range to include sedans, SUVs, and the Genesis luxury brand, stable procurement of batteries, a key component, has been an issue. The company’s first joint venture plant will lead to a long-term shift to EVs.
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COVID-19 Variant Disrupts Supply Chain
Akihiro Komuro In Southeast Asia, where the delta variant of the COVID-19 is spreading rapidly, business activities are becoming stagnant. In response to government regulations and the rapid increase in the number of infected people, major Japanese companies such as Toyota and Panasonic have suspended production at some of their plants. In addition to the decline in local sales, the disruption of the supply chain has also affected production in Japan.
Toyota has sequentially shut down all three of its plants in Thailand since July 20. The company has not yet decided when to resume operations because it has been unable to procure parts due to an outbreak of infection at one of its customers’ plants. Honda also shut down one of its plants in Thailand from August 3 to 5.
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