Hybrid Trends Rise, Wuling Hasn't Planned New HEV Models Outside Almaz

Wuling Almaz Hospital Pro Hybrid. (Doc. Wuling Motors)

JAKARTA - The hybrid car market is booming in Indonesia. This segment has proven to be able to boost national-scale automotive sales amid the decline in the overall car market.

According to data from the Association of Indonesian Automotive Industries (Gaikindo), wholesale sales of Hybrid Electric Vehicle (HEV) vehicles during the first six months of 2024 reached 25,791 units, an increase of up to 49 percent compared to last year's acquisition in the same period.

Although incentives for this segment are not provided, the hybrid is still teasing the environmentally friendly vehicle market in Indonesia. In addition, a number of manufacturers intend to present more hybrid car lines in the country. However, Wuling took different steps.

Wuling Motors Public Relations Manager Brian Gomgom, said that his party still wanted to rely on Almaz in this segment and had no intention of adding to the ranks of hybrid vehicles.

"If our hybrid is still focused on Almaz. Because this is also a bridge to complete electrification," said Gomgom when met in the middle of a press conference ahead of IMX 2024 in the SCBD area, Jakarta, Tuesday, September 17.

He also ensured that Wuling's product lines would not change in the country's market, consisting of three EV models including Air ev, BinguoEV, and Cloud EV, then the hybrid line represented by Almaz RS, and four ICE models consisting of Alvez, Conferenceo, Cortez, and Formo.

"We are currently configurationing more than three electric vehicle (EV) models, one hybrid, and four ICE models," added Gomgom.

According to him, the steps taken by manufacturers from China are quite appropriate in meeting various mobility needs of the Indonesian people.

"In our opinion, this is a good step because we can answer various needs of the community, we provide for EV needs, then meet the needs of consumers who want to transition via hybrid, and we also still provide vehicles for consumers who want ICE," said Gomgom.

Although electric vehicles are the backbone of this brand, Gomgom said that his party has not forgotten the gasoline engine vehicle where the demand is still very high in Indonesia.

"It is undeniable that EV growth is currently growing rapidly, but we have not forgotten for ICE where in the transition, the segment is still the biggest," concluded Gomgom.