If Indonesia Follows Vietnam's Footsteps, Ban Gasoline Motors, What Does AHM Say?

JAKARTA - In today's electrification era, Vietnam is one of the countries that implements the rules quite surprising by banning the use of gasoline motors starting next year. It's not impossible, it could also be followed by Indonesia in the future.

Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh issued a directive prohibiting gasoline-fueled motorcycles from entering the capital center from mid-2026. This is an effort by the country to reduce high levels of air pollution.

The policy immediately resulted in Honda's motorcycle sales. It is known that Honda controls 80 percent of the two-wheeled vehicle market in Vietnam with 2.6 million vehicles sold last year, and now sales have fallen by almost 22 percent in August.

The company recorded a double-digit decline in sales compared to the previous year in August and September. It is not impossible that the policy will be adopted by neighboring countries including Indonesia.

Responding to this, General Manager of Corporate Communication of PT Astra Honda Motor (AHM) Ahmad Muhibbuddin, assessed that such policies needed to be seen from various perspectives before they were implemented in Indonesia.

"What is in Vietnam is their country's policy. We can't comment on what kind, because they are free to determine their own policies," said Muhib in Jakarta, recently.

"Yes, it needs to be considered, look at various aspects if, for example, it is implemented in Indonesia," he continued.

Indonesia itself, Honda still holds the highest sales of motorcycles. However, PT AHM believes that the government will implement policies according to current conditions and still pay attention to the needs of the community.

"I think every policy must begin with discussion or hearing the voices and desires of the community," he asserted.

In order to support the government's commitment to suppress emissions, Honda has also prepared a number of electric motorcycle models for consumers in the country. Such as Honda EM1 e:, Icon e:, and CUV e: which is Honda's most expensive electric motor at IDR 54.4 million.