National Car

The signal echoes from the national automotive stage. At the GIIAS 2025 event, it is said, one "national car candidate" appears as a shadow of the future. The design of the concept called i2C is the result of the collaboration of PT Teknologi Mobilitas Indonesia (TMI) and the Italian design house, marking a new chapter of the narrative of a car made in Indonesia.

President Prabowo Subianto said that Indonesia will have its own car in the next three years. The speech was delivered during a cabinet meeting. The commitment was immediately followed by the Minister of Industry Agus Gumiwang Kartasasmita who proposed that the national car project be included in the list of National Strategic Projects (PSN).

However, the long history of failure of similar projects has made the public ask: will this promise have the same fate? Of course it is still strong in public memory. The Timor, Bimantara, and Maleo projects had surfaced. Timor was even marketed, but eventually ran aground due to the monetary crisis and WTO lawsuit because it was considered to deviate from the free trade mechanism. Maleo, who was initiated by former President BJ Habibie, failed due to political pressure from the New Order era. Or also Esemka, who was predicted by President Jokowi, but until he stepped down, was not seen.

BJ Habibie himself was once skeptical of Esemka's car. He considered the car not a serious and more political national industrial product. However, a direct quote by BJ Habibie who called "empty words" should be read as criticism of nationalism claims without industrial substance.

INDEF economist, Nailul Huda, assesses that the application for a national car as PSN is the right step so that this project gets the attention of the government and the allocation of the APBN. However, he also reminded the need for a clear management structure so that the project does not just become a lighthouse project.

Automotive observer from ITB, Yannes Martinus Pasaribu, gave an important note: national car projects can be successful, but must be based on technology and local innovation, not just rebadging or replacing foreign car brands with Indonesian labels. He emphasized the importance of focusing on electric cars (EVs), building a local component industry ecosystem and preparing superior human resources. Without that, the project is only a gimmick of nationalism.

The emergence of i2C does spark optimism. However, concept cars do not mean that they are ready for mass production. Large investment, certification, and mature markets are needed. Without a supporting ecosystem, national cars will become exhibition icons only.

This project has the potential to absorb labor and reduce imports of automotive components. The automotive industry is projected to absorb 1.1 million direct and indirect workers. However, if it fails, it will be a symbol of failure of governance and industry dreams that run aground.

Indonesia does not need new promises. We need execution. If you really want to build a national car, then there must be a clear road map, long-term investment, and cross-governmental commitment. Otherwise, this project will be a new record in the history of the failure of national industrial ambitions.

Imagine five more years, you go to a showroom and see a car with the label "95% made locally". Now, imagine the opposite: the Indonesian brand but all of it. Which reality are we going to face?

Only time can answer. Whether we will critically and consistently oversee this project, or let it return to being a dream without an engine.