DFSK Optimistic Indonesia Will Drive Automotive Industry Growth

PT Sokonindo Automobile, the brand holder for DFSK in Indonesia, is optimistic about the national automotive market’s prospects, positioning Indonesia as a strategic base for business development. CEO Alexander Barus stated this conviction led the company to build a production facility in Cikande, Banten, even before marketing its first vehicle in the country. “We see Indonesia as a strategic market and a centre for mobility transformation in Southeast Asia. That is why we built a factory here with full confidence in this market’s potential,” Alexander said during the pre-booking launch of the DFSK E5 Plus in Jakarta. He highlighted the company’s unconventional approach of investing in manufacturing infrastructure prior to commencing sales, driven by a long-term view of the national automotive industry. Alexander believes Indonesia plays a crucial role in the future development of the regional automotive industry, with its large population, growing economy, and potential for adopting new vehicle technologies serving as a regional growth driver. He added that the company received government support throughout the Cikande factory’s development, from licensing to operations, which helped strengthen the national automotive structure through manufacturing investment and domestic supply chain development. As part of this commitment, Alexander noted that most products manufactured at the Cikande facility have achieved a domestic component level (TKDN) above 40 percent, a result of collaboration with dealers, employees, media, and consumers over nearly a decade of operations in Indonesia. Observing shifting mobility trends and increased focus on energy efficiency, Alexander sees new opportunities for electrified vehicles, including plug-in hybrids. DFSK has therefore opened pre-booking for a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV), which he believes can serve as a transitional solution for consumers seeking electrified efficiency without full reliance on charging infrastructure. “With developments in fossil fuel prices and the public’s need for comfortable long-distance travel, plug-in hybrid vehicles will become a worthy consideration in the future,” Alexander said.