PHEV Cars Are Low In Interest In Indonesia, TAM: It's Too Early And It Takes Time

Toyota RAV4 GR Sport. (Doc.Toyota Global)

Toyota is known as an automotive manufacturer that presents various vehicle options with advanced technology. Different from several manufacturers that rely on EVs as environmentally friendly vehicle models, the Japanese company provides more than one option.

In Indonesia, PT Toyota-Astra Motor (TAM), as the brand holding agent (APM) of Toyota in Indonesia, presents several lines of environmentally friendly vehicles, consisting of Battery Electric Vehicle (BEV) on bZ4X, then Hybrid Electric Vehicle (HEV) on Yaris Cross, Corolla Cross, and other models, as well as Plug-In Hybrid (PHEV) on RAV4 GR Sport.

RAV4 GR Sport PHEV is one of the steps in the multi-path strategy adopted by Toyota to achieve carbon-neutral targets in the future. However, its unit is still limited to Indonesian territory and it takes time for this car to be available in large quantities.

Anton Jimmi Suwandi, as Marketing Director of PT TAM, said that his party would provide more SUV units depending on the number of requests next year. Please note, Indonesia has received 10 units from RAV4 GR Sport.

"This year the unit is still limited, next year we will see the demand and discuss further for supply," Anton said when contacted by VOI, Monday, December 18.

Anton also assessed that the limited number of RAV4 GR Sport available in Indonesia was because the product was only launched in the country in early 2023 and the public also needed time to find out more PHEV technology.

"It's too early to draw conclusions because the unit is still limited and has just launched as well. It takes time for consumers to get to know more about PHEV technology," said Anton.

Although sales in this category are not massive, such as HEV or BEV, TAM will further monitor the development of the PHEV segment in the hope of following the positive trend of environmentally friendly vehicles in Indonesia.

"Currently the HEV is more accepted. In the future, we will continue to monitor PHEV," added Anton.

RAV4 GR Sport PHEV, introduced a few months ago, was sold by PT TAM for IDR 1.1 billion, and it has become a serious competitor in the Plug-in Hybrid market in Indonesia, competing with Volvo XC90 Recharge PHEV and Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV.

This car is equipped with a 2.5 liter gasoline engine combined with an i-AWD system and an electric motor, resulting in total power of up to 302 dk. The PHEV RAV4 GR Sport Toyota can also cover a distance of up to 60 km using only a battery.