Sales Of Motorcycles And Cars In Indonesia Dropped 90 Percent In The Second Quarter Of 2020

Illustration. (Angga Nugraha / VOI)

JAKARTA - The Central Statistics Agency (BPS) noted that the production and sales of the Indonesian automotive sector fell in the second quarter of 2020 compared to the same period last year. Car sales fell by almost 90 percent, while motorbikes decreased 80 percent on an annual basis or year on year (yoy).

Head of BPS Suhariyanto said car production fell considerably, only 41,520 units. Down 87.34 percent compared to the previous quarter (quarter to quarter / qtq), while on an annual basis (yoy) it decreased by 85.02 percent.

"The sales of wholesale cars also only reached 24,042 units, down 89.85 percent qtq and down 89.44 percent. This will affect trade and household consumption, especially the upper middle class," he said in a virtual press conference, Wednesday, August 5.

Meanwhile, Suhariyanto said, wholesale motorcycle sales also decreased, reaching 80.06 percent quarterly and 79.7 percent annually.

"Sales only reached 313,625 units," he said.

According to Suhariyanto, the decline in sales of cars and motorbikes was due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition, this also occurred due to the closure of sales outlets during the implementation of large-scale social restrictions (PSBB).

Previously, BPS noted that Indonesia's economic growth in the second quarter of 2020 contracted by 5.32 percent due to the COVID-19 pandemic. When compared to an annual basis, this growth rate has contracted quite sharply, because in the second quarter of 2019, growth was still quite good, namely at 5.07 percent.

Suhariyanto explained that Indonesia's Gross Domestic Product (GDP) based on constant prices in the second quarter of 2020 amounted to IDR 2,589.6 trillion.

"When compared with the first quarter of 2020, the Indonesian economy contracted minus 4.19 percent," he said.