Chinese Automotive Manufacturers Begin to Greet the Indonesian Market, Toyota Remains Optimistic

Toyota Corolla Cross H2 Concept which was exhibited at GIIAS 2023. (Photo: Bagus Muhammad Hafizh / VOI)

JAKARTA - Currently, automotive manufacturers from China are controlling the share of the global electric car market. Furthermore, the target market for some of these producers is Indonesia.

After brands such as Wuling and Chery entered the Indonesian automotive market, brands such as Neta and Great Wall Motor, which have sub-brands such as Ora, Haval and Tank, began to greet the Indonesian market by presenting their products at the Gaikindo Indonesia International Auto Show (GIIAS) 2023.

Even so, their presence did not make well-known manufacturers who were already in Indonesia afraid of facing the competition.

Marketing Director of PT Toyota-Astra Motor (TAM), Anton Jimmi Suwandi, revealed that the arrival of various automotive brands from China actually provided healthy competition in the Indonesian automotive industry.

"This is competition, a natural thing, especially when products from outside Indonesia enter the market. We will anticipate it well," Anton said when speaking to the media at ICE BSD, Tangerang, Saturday, August 19.

Anton emphasized that Toyota will follow market developments by presenting various models that use different technologies. However, this will take appropriate time to materialize.

"We can't present all the technologies simultaneously. We have to do it gradually," added Anton.

In addition, Toyota plans to provide a variety of environmentally friendly alternative technology options according to market needs. This includes technologies such as hydrogen or bioethanol, which will be considered upon request.

"Once again, we are not closing the door on Battery Electric Vehicle (BEV) technology because we already have the Toyota bZ4x. Toyota Global is also planning to launch other BEV models. However, we are not just focusing on one technology. We will let the market decide," emphasized Anton.

Toyota has introduced various electrified models in Indonesia, including the Alphard HEV, Yaris Cross HEV, RAV4 GR Sport PHEV, and the manufacturer's only BEV, the bZ4x. At GIIAS 2023, Toyota also showcased the Prius HEV, although it won't be going on sale anytime soon.

Toyota strengthens its commitment by presenting alternative technologies in two models, namely the Corolla Cross HEV Flexy Fuel Bioethanol and the environmentally friendly Corolla Cross H2 Concept, at GIIAS 2023.

Toyota is also currently developing emission-free vehicles. By 2026, Toyota plans to offer 10 new electric vehicle models with a target of selling 1.5 million zero-emission cars.

As one of the biggest automotive brands in the world, Toyota remains committed to developing various types of vehicles with BEV, PHEV, FCEV, HEV, H2, and CN technologies in the future.