Presdir Baru HPM's View On Electrification In Indonesia, Present More Hybrid Cars?

President Director of PT HPM Shugo Watanabe when giving a speech about the company's vision. (Photo: Bagus Muhammad Hafizh / VOI)

Shugo Watanabe has officially filled the position of President Director of PT Honda Prospect Motor (HPM) replacing Kotaro Shimizu who has served for two years.

Together with new officials, the company will face various challenges in the automotive industry in Indonesia, one of which is in the electrification sector and HPM is very concerned about this.

Watanabe thinks that the electrification segment is very important in Indonesia based on its market potential. Thus, his party will soon expand a number of hybrid vehicles as the first step in the transition to zero emissions.

"For Honda, we will make a transition from hybrid to other electrification," said the man who previously served as Vice President of Auto Planning & Strategy Auto Sales Honda in the US to the media in Sunter, Jakarta, Wednesday, March 27.

He added that the presence of hybrid vehicles was the right step considering that market demand in several countries for electric vehicles (EVs) had not been able to beat the combustion engine (ICE).

"For that, we also have to change the perspective in implementing electrification, not only fixting on one way but also having the flexibility to create different scenarios," added Watanabe.

Currently, Honda has two models that have hybrid technology in Indonesia, namely All-New Honda CR-V RS e: HEV which was launched at GIIAS 2023 and All-New Honda Accord RS e: HEV at the end of last year.

Retail sales of All-New Honda CR-V also experienced an increase in February of 388 units with 73 percent of them being variants of RS e: HEV. Meanwhile, the All-New Accord sedan was successfully sold with 33 units.