BYD Car Sales Plunge in May 2026, Here's the Culprit

Jakarta, CNBC Indonesia - BYD’s wholesales, or sales from factory to dealers, experienced a sharp decline to 895 units in May 2026. Data from the Association of Indonesian Automotive Industries (Gaikindo) shows the May figure was the lowest for BYD since the Chinese brand began recording sales in Indonesia in mid-2024. The figure also pushed BYD out of the top 10 best-selling car brands nationally.

BYD stated the condition was not triggered by weakening consumer demand, but rather by disruptions caused by the transition of the production source for vehicles marketed in Indonesia. “It is the impact of our production source transition. Previously, we were still import-based,” said Luther Panjaitan, Head of Public & Government Relations at PT BYD Motor Indonesia, during the launch of the M6 DM in Senayan, South Jakarta, on Friday (12/6/2026).

As the company began shifting its supply system from completely built-up (CBU) imports to local production, a distribution gap occurred that directly impacted monthly sales figures. The change took place as BYD prepared its production facility in Indonesia. The transition process meant the flow of vehicle supplies to dealers did not operate as usual, leading to a significant drop in wholesales figures. “We are fixing the supply system with the transition from CBU goods to local production, so there is a bit of a shock in the numbers,” he said.

The phenomenon was also visible in several BYD models that experienced sharp distribution declines. One of the most striking was the Atto 1, which recorded shipments of only 26 units in May, a plunge compared to 3,700 units in February. Luther acknowledged the distribution decline for several models was directly related to the production source transition. The condition was an unavoidable impact as the company entered a new phase of local manufacturing. “Yes, that is the impact of the transition. Perhaps from there you can read why there was such a significant shock and reduction,” he said.

Nevertheless, BYD confirmed the condition is only temporary. The company claims vehicle supplies to dealers are beginning to return to normal as production facilities and the distribution chain are continuously improved. “But it will return to normal this month,” Luther said.