BAIC Bets on Indonesia, Targets 1,000 EV Sales with Local Assembly Plans
Jakarta, CNBC Indonesia — PT JIO Distribusi Indonesia (JDI) is optimistic that the prospects for electric vehicles in Indonesia remain promising. That confidence underpins the company’s launch of the BAIC T1, the first fully electric car it has brought to the Indonesian market.
The launch of the BAIC T1 also intensifies competition in the electric hatchback crossover segment, which is already contested by players such as the BYD Dolphin, Aion UT, Wuling Cloud EV and MG4 EV.
Chief Operating Officer of PT JIO Distribusi Indonesia, Dhani Yahya, said the growth of electric vehicles in Indonesia shows that the shift towards electrification is becoming ever more real.
“The 78% growth of the pure electric vehicle (BEV) market in Indonesia shows that the New Energy Vehicle is no longer merely a trend, but the future direction of the automotive industry,” Dhani said at the BAIC T1 launch at BAIC Alam Sutera on Thursday (9/7/2026).
He added that the arrival of the BAIC T1 is not only about expanding the product line, but forms part of the company’s long-term strategy in Indonesia.
“We are not merely introducing a new electric vehicle, but building a long-term foundation for BAIC Indonesia to keep growing alongside changing consumer needs and the development of the national automotive industry,” he said.
In the initial phase, the BAIC T1 will still be marketed with completely built-up (CBU) status. However, the company is targeting local assembly with a domestic content level (TKDN) of around 60% by 2027.
“We are targeting a local content level, or CKD, of up to 60% by 2027 as part of our long-term commitment to the Indonesian automotive industry and the development of the national New Energy Vehicle ecosystem,” Dhani said.
BAIC is aiming to sell 1,000 units by the end of 2026, with the target of capturing around 16% of the national electric hatchback crossover market.
That optimism is also supported by BAIC Indonesia’s steadily improving sales performance. Throughout the first half of 2026, the company’s wholesale sales reached 382 units, up around 91% compared with the same period last year. The BAIC BJ30 was the largest contributor to sales, followed by the BJ40 Plus and X55 II.