BYD Soon Produces Local Cars in Subang, Imports Stopped?

JAKARTA - BYD continues to spur the development of its factory in Subang, West Java, as part of its plan to produce electric cars locally in Indonesia. The Shenzhen-based automotive manufacturer even admitted that he was impatient to start producing domestically assembled vehicles.

The company is currently preparing various technical stages before the production line is fully operational, with the target being able to start operating this year. President Director of PT BYD Motor Indonesia Eagle Zhao, said that his party had started various testing processes to ensure the readiness of the factory before mass production began.

"Starting from the first quarter of this year, we can start a series of very comprehensive tests, alignment, production lines, jigs and technical equipment," Eagle said recently.

According to him, the BYD factory in Subang will follow the company's global standards. In that way, electric cars produced in Indonesia are expected to have the same quality as units made in China.

"The simple goal of every model we produce must be in accordance with global standards," he explained.

Even though it will produce cars locally, BYD still opens the possibility of bringing vehicles from China. However, imports will only be carried out in certain situations.

Head of PR and Government BYD Indonesia Luther Panjaitan, explained that imports remain a backup option to meet the needs of a specific market.

"Imports are part of a back-up plan for certain conditions, especially special market demand. That is, we can't say zero but we can still use it for special demand but we will focus on local production," explained Luther.

Based on data from the Indonesian Motor Vehicle Industry Association (Gaikindo), BYD was not recorded as importing cars from China in January 2026. A similar condition also occurred in February 2026, where no BYD vehicles entered through the import channel.

Referring to the Minister of Investment Regulation Number 6 of 2023 junto Number 1 of 2024, BYD is required to start producing electric cars in Indonesia no later than January 1, 2026. In addition, in the period from January 2026 to December 31, 2027, the number and specifications of vehicles produced domestically must be at least equivalent to the model previously imported.