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Photo = Yonhap news |
[Alpha Biz= Kim Jisun] Chinese electric vehicle (EV) brands are rapidly reshaping the Indonesian automotive landscape, surpassing traditional powerhouses from South Korea and Japan to take control of the market.
According to the Indonesian Automotive Industry Association (GAIKINDO) on July 20, battery electric vehicle (BEV) sales in Indonesia surged nearly threefold in the first half of 2025, reaching 36,597 units, compared to 11,940 units during the same period last year. In contrast, total vehicle sales—including internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles—fell by 8.6% to 374,740 units, reflecting a swift national pivot toward electrification.
Chinese brands were at the center of this EV boom, with local media including Kompas highlighting their unprecedented rise. The top five best-selling BEV models in H1 2025 were all from Chinese manufacturers:
BYD M6 – 6,252 units
Denza D9 – 5,733 units
BYD Sealion 7 – 5,456 units
Chery J6 – 3,979 units
Wuling Air EV – 2,497 units
In a striking development, Hyundai’s IONIQ 5—once a market leader in Indonesia’s EV segment—dropped to 15th place, with only 540 units sold. While it remains the highest-ranking non-Chinese model, its fall outside the top 10 marks a significant shift. Compared to 685 units sold in H1 2024, sales dropped by 21%, highlighting Hyundai’s waning influence amid a fast-moving market transition.
Industry analysts warn that while the raw sales decline may seem modest, the real concern lies in the speed at which Chinese EV makers are consolidating dominance in the region’s fast-growing electric vehicle sector.
알파경제 Kim Jisun (stockmk2020@alphabiz.co.kr)
