Handal Responds To Rumors His Factory In Bekasi Will Be Acquired By Chery Indonesia

Chery J6T will be produced locally. (Photo: Indra/VOI)

The issue of PT Chery Sales Indonesia (CSI)'s plan to acquire a Pondok Ungu factory owned by PT Handal Indonesia Motor (HIM) was finally responded directly to by HIM management. Until now, the company confirmed that there had been no official discussion regarding the discourse.

This assurance was conveyed by the Deputy President Commissioner of PT HIM, Jongkie D Sugiarto. He said the various possibilities were still limited to internal studies and did not lead to concrete decisions.

"Later we will discuss it with them (Chery). I don't know later, there will be no discussion," said Jongkie when met at the 2025 Gaikindo Jakarta Auto Week (GJAW) event.

Rumors of the acquisition emerged after Chery reportedly was preparing a new investment of up to IDR 5 trillion in Indonesia. The funds are said to be focused on strengthening production capacity in Handal's facilities.

Speculation has also developed in the automotive industry, raising the suspicion that the large injection of funds could be the entrance to the takeover of the factory. Even so, until now, the HIM emphasized that no official negotiations had yet been made.

Previously, Vice Country Director of Chery Sales Indonesia, Budi Darmawan, signaled that relations with Handal could develop bigger. It is possible that Chery will expand or even acquire the facility as the main production base.

"Yes, later we will have an official press release for that. I can't declare yet. We'll just have to wait," added Budi at the launch of Chery J6T.

Because there are no signs that this manufacturer has prepared alternative locations before the end of 2025. Currently, several models have been assembled at the Handal factory located in Pondok Ungu, Bekasi, West Java. Like Chery E5, Chery Tiggo 8 to J6.

It could be that Handal wants to release some of their factories to Chery. Considering that the production of the car produced from the Bamboo Curtain Country is concentrated in Pondok Ungu, and Handal also has a new and larger factory in Purwakarta.

Then, the President Director of Chery Group Indonesia, Zeng Shuo, also stated that the company had prepared concrete steps. He added that the development process did not immediately stop the ongoing cooperation with Handal.

"We will have a possible parallel. We will see the future, because we will not immediately stop. We will continue with Handal," he said.