Luhut Hopes Indonesia To Become The Main Market For Electric Cars In ASEAN

Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan. (Photo: Antara)

JAKARTA - The Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan hopes that Indonesia can become one of the main markets for the electric vehicle industry in ASEAN in the future through the development of a Hyundai electric car factory which is currently being built in Bekasi, West Java.

During a visit to the Hyundai electric car factory in Sukamukti, Bekasi, West Java, Friday, Luhut expressed his appreciation for the South Korean automotive manufacturer's project for being able to operate and be careful in maintaining factory operational protocols despite the current challenging situation.

"We appreciate Hyundai's efforts to continue building the Hyundai factory so that its development runs well. The Indonesian government is currently targeting to accelerate the growth of the EV (Electric Vehicle) industry and hopes that Hyundai can become part of this important mission," said Luhut, quoted from Antara, Friday November 6th.

In the future, the Indonesian government hopes that there will be cooperation with the South Korean government to jointly oversee the development of an electric car factory until it is ready for production.

"We also hope that Indonesia will become one of the main EV markets in ASEAN in the future," he said.

The construction of an electric car factory is one form of implementing Hyundai's investment commitment to develop electric cars which was signed in South Korea on November 26, 2019.

According to Luhut, Hyundai's investment commitment is also in line with the Indonesian government's determination to continue to develop environmentally friendly transportation technology.

"To be proud, to bring Indonesia to become a country that is increasingly friendly to the environment," Luhut wrote on the plaque he signed with the South Korean Ambassador to Indonesia Park Tae-Sung shortly before touring the factory.

Luhut also said that the Hyundai factory in Indonesia would not only attract the Indonesian domestic market, but also the electric vehicle market in Southeast Asia, Africa, the Middle East and other countries where Indonesia had free trade agreements and trade agreements.

During the visit, Luhut was accompanied by Korean Ambassador Park Tae-Sung, President of the Strategic Planning Division of Hyundai Motor Group Young Woon Kong, President of Hyundai Motor for the Asia Pacific Region Lee Youngtack, President Director of PT Hyundai Manufacturing and several officials from the Coordinating Ministry for Maritime Affairs and Investment.