GAC E8 Officially Enrich the MPV Hybrid Market in Indonesia, Challenging Wuling Darion

JAKARTA - GAC Indonesia introduced its new champion at the 2026 Indonesia International Motor Show (IIMS) through the E8 Hybrid Multi Purpose Vehicle (MPV). The hybrid car is expected to challenge Wuling Darion which has launched first.

This model is different from the GAC E9 Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV) that was brought to the Gaikindo Indonesia International Auto Show (GIIAS) last year. Although both have a left-hand drive configuration, the E8 displayed at IIMS 2026 is actually still labeled PHEV.

However, GAC insists that the version projected for the Indonesian market will carry conventional hybrid technology. The presence of the E8 Hybrid is part of GAC's commitment to providing various alternative electrification vehicles, this time targeting the MPV segment.

"There will be many lineups with new powertrains, not only Electric Vehicles (EV) but hybrids and others," said Product Planner and Strategic GAC Indonesia Iqbal Taufiqurrahman, at the IIMS 2026 event, not long ago.

"This MPV is not just a new model, but a symbol of how GAC sees the future of mobility in Indonesia, more comfortable, smarter, and more user-oriented," he continued.

Iqbal emphasized that the product series, including the E8 Hybrid, is a serious consideration to be offered in Indonesia in order to adjust to consumer needs. Moreover, in addition to SUVs, MPVs are still one of the types of vehicles that are most sought after by the people of the country.

"We can get information from the community as well as the need for what kind of 7-seater (car)," said Iqbal.

Furthermore, he said GAC is still studying market preferences in Indonesia. Do Indonesian consumers prefer premium MPVs with abundant features such as the E9 PHEV, or rather variants with more concise features and competitive prices such as the E8 Hybrid.

"So hopefully, after this (IIMS 2026) we can get actual data from the community," said Iqbal.

In its home country, the GAC E8 is available in a PHEV version with two engine options, namely 1,800 cc and 2,000 cc, which are combined with a ternary lithium battery. In terms of dimensions, this MPV is quite bulky with a length of 4,920 mm, a width of 1,900 mm, a height of 1,760 mm, and a wheelbase of 2,930 mm.

The size is not much different from the Wuling Darion PHEV which has a length of 4,910 mm, a width of 1,850 mm, a height of 1,770 mm, and a wheelbase of 2,910 mm, indicating that the E8 Hybrid is ready to compete in the large-sized electrification MPV class.